Enhancement of optical communications and optical fiber performance

ABSTRACT

Communication of light signals and optical cables can be managed to mitigate error associated with using optical cables to communicate light signals. A communication management component (CMC) can embed respective timing synchronization pulses in respective lights signals having respective wavelengths. The light signals can be typical light signals or can be squeezed and twisted to generate a desired twisted light signal. The light signals can be transmitted via the optical cable to a receiver. A CMC, at the receiver end, can determine error associated with the transmission of the light signals via the optical cable and respective characteristics of the respective light signals, including respective arrival times of the respective timing synchronization pulses and respective light intensity or power levels of the respective light signals. From the respective characteristics, CMC can determine a compensation action to perform mitigate the error with regard to subsequent transmissions of light signals.

RELATED APPLICATION

The subject patent application is a continuation of, and claims priorityto, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/399,906, filed Apr. 30, 2019,and entitled “ENHANCEMENT OF OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS AND OPTICAL FIBERPERFORMANCE,” the entirety of which application is hereby incorporatedby reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to optical communications, e.g., toenhancement of optical communications and optical fiber performance

BACKGROUND

Various services and applications can rely on fast, efficient, andreliable information exchange. Currently, much of this informationtraffic is carried over long distances by optical fiber, which can haveintrinsic advantages, such as wide transmission bandwidth and lowattenuation. However, continuing traffic growth can impose a number ofsignificant challenges, including with regard to development of opticaltransmission systems that can handle the increasing demand for higherdata rates in a financially feasible and cost effective manner

The above-described description is merely intended to provide acontextual overview regarding optical communications, and is notintended to be exhaustive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example system that can managecommunication of light signals and optical cables used to communicatethe light signals to mitigate error associated with using optical cablesto communicate light signals, in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 depicts a diagram of an example signal transmission via a singlemode fiber.

FIG. 3 presents a diagram of an example signal transmission via amultimodal optical fiber, in accordance with aspects and embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of an example signal transmission illustratingchromatic differentials in light signals based on the respectivewavelengths of the light signals.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of an example system that embed or encoderespective timing synchronization pulses in respective light signalshaving respective wavelengths to facilitate managing communication oflight signals and optical cables used to communicate the light signalsto mitigate error associated with using optical cables to communicatelight signals, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example system that can processlight signals to squeeze and/or twist the light signals and can managecommunication of such light signals and optical cables used tocommunicate such light signals to mitigate error associated with usingoptical cables to communicate light signals, in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 7 presents a diagram of example twisted light images, in accordancewith various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 8 presents a diagram of an example system that can squeeze orotherwise process light signals to facilitate enhanced communication ofdata via such light signals, in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram of an example enhanced optical intensitymodulation direct detection (IMDD) system that can employ timingsynchronization pulses to facilitate managing communication of lightsignals and optical cables used to communicate the light signals tomitigate error associated with using optical cables to communicate lightsignals, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an example communicationmanagement component (CMC), in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flow chart of an example method that cancompensate for an error in the transmission of light signals via anoptical cable, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 12 presents a flow chart of another example method that cancompensate for an error in the transmission of light signals via anoptical cable, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 13A and 13B depict a flow chart of an example method that cansqueeze lights signals using an optical interference-based technique togenerate lights signals that can have a reduced quantum uncertainty, inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart of an example method that can generateencoded twisted lights signals, in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a suitable operatingenvironment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a sample-computing environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the disclosed subject matter are now described withreference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used torefer to like elements throughout. In the following description, forpurposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It maybe evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devicesare shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one ormore aspects.

Various services and applications can rely on fast, efficient, andreliable information exchange. Currently, much of this informationtraffic is carried over long distances by optical fiber, which can haveintrinsic advantages, such as wide transmission bandwidth and lowattenuation. However, continuing traffic growth can impose a number ofsignificant challenges, including with regard to development of opticaltransmission systems that can handle the increasing demand for higherdata rates in a financially feasible and cost effective manner

To that end, techniques for managing communication of light signals andoptical cables (e.g., fiber optic cables) used to communicate the lightsignals to mitigate error associated with using optical cables tocommunicate light signals are presented. A transceiver component cancomprise a communication management component (CMC). The CMC can be orcan comprise an optical signal processor. With regard to thetransmission end, the CMC can embed respective timing synchronizationpulses in respective lights signals having respective wavelengths (e.g.,respective optical carriers having respective wavelengths). Inaccordance with various embodiments, the light signals can be typicallight signals from a light source component, or the CMC can process thelights signal to squeeze and twist the light signals to generate adesired twisted light signal. An encoder/modulator component can encodeinformation and/or error correction information into the light signals.The transceiver component (e.g., the transmitter component of thetransceiver component) can transmit the respective light signals,comprising the respective timing synchronization pulses, respectiveencoded information, and/or respective error correction information viathe optical cable to a receiver component of another transceivercomponent. A CMC, at the receiver end, can analyze the respective lightsignals received via the optical cable. Based at least in part on theresults of analyzing the respective light signals, the CMC can determinean error associated with the transmission of the respective lightsignals via the optical cable and respective characteristics of therespective light signals, including, for example, respective arrivaltimes of the respective timing synchronization pulses, respective lightintensity or power levels of the respective light signals, and/or otherrespective characteristics. Based at least in part on the respectivecharacteristics of the respective light signals, the CMC can determine acompensation action to perform mitigate the error with regard tosubsequent transmissions of light signals. The compensation action cancomprise, for example, suspending one or more frequencies from encodingduring a subsequent transmission of light signals via the optical cable,initiate a replacement, repair, or maintenance of a portion of theoptical cable, adjust a transmission rate of the subsequent transmissionof light signals, and/or adjust a route of the subsequent transmissionof light signals.

These and other aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matterwill now be described with respect to the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of anexample system 100 that can manage communication of light signals andoptical cables used to communicate the light signals to mitigate errorassociated with using optical cables to communicate light signals, inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter. The system 100 can comprise a transceiver component 102 that cantransmit and receive light signals via one or more optical cables,including optical cable 104. The transceiver component 102 can comprisea transmitter component 106 and a receiver component (not shown in FIG.1). The system 100 also can comprise another transceiver component 108that can transmit and receive light signals via the one or more opticalcables, including optical cable 104, wherein, in some instances, thetransceiver component 108 can receive light signals from the transceivercomponent 102. The transceiver component 108 can comprise a receivercomponent 110 and a transmitter component (not shown in FIG. 1).

The transmitter component 106 can comprise a light source component 112(LIGHT SOURCE COMP.) that can generate and emit light signals havingdesired wavelengths. The light source component 112 can be or cancomprise, for example, a light emitting diode light (LED) source, achemical light source, a halogen light source, a xenon light source, ametal halide light source, and/or a laser light source.

When light signals are communicated via optical cables, such as opticalcable 104, the received light signals at the receiver component 110 canhave some error due to damage to a portion of the optical cable,imperfections in the optical cable, or other issues that can degrade theperformance of the optical cable and impact (e.g., negatively impact)the communication of data in light signals via the optical cable. Forinstance, the optical cable (e.g., 104) can be subject to significantmovement or vibrations (e.g., macro bends or micro bends) due to windsand/or other forces, interactions with animals, wear and tear, and/orother interactions that can cause damage to the optical cable, orportion thereof, and/or can otherwise degrade the performance of theoptical cable. Further, optical cables (e.g., fiber optic cables) thatare optimized or utilized for mobile and mechanically active stationaryenvironments often can suffer performance degradation from variousqualitative challenges related to dispersion.

There can be a number of fundamental issues or challenges relating tooptical communications via optical cables. For instance, one challengecan be measurement and compensation for degraded or damaged opticalcables, wherein the capacity of an optical cable can degrade over time(e.g., due to wear and tear, vibration and other environmentalconditions, . . . ) or precipitously due to a fault event (e.g., anobject, an animal, or a weather event damages the optical cable).Another challenge can be that high-capacity optical fiber transmissionsystems can be in a constant or substantially constant state of motion,which can cause variability in the transmission performance of the fiberoptic cable. Still another challenge can involve dispersion within thefiber in various modes. Also, when employing twisted light technology inorder to enhance the bandwidth of an optical fiber transmission system,the sensitivity of fiber optic cables to motion, faults, and degradationcan be magnified relative to traditional linear modulation systems. Theuse of twisted light in high capacity transmission systems, whileproviding capacity improvement over traditional linear modulationsystems, also can demand more precise management of the optical fiber'scharacteristics in order to maintain a desirable (e.g., optimized,enhanced, or suitable) level of performance.

With regard to quality of service (QoS), in the concept of optical fibercommunication networks, the concept of QoS can encompass a set of keyperformance indicators (KPIs) that can provide a means of quantitativeanalysis on a particular system and can provide a mechanism ofcomparison between like systems. KPIs for an optical fiber communicationnetwork can include, for example: optical attenuation, which can be theloss of energy by a light pulse as it travels through the optical cable;signal loss, which, in the optical case, data (e.g., loss of a datapacket) can be lost, for example, due to the light signal being absorbedby impurities or damage to the optical cable (e.g., cladding) itself,wherein such data loss can be akin to packet loss in an electrical orwireless communication medium; latency, which can increase due to errorcorrection schemes (e.g., packet forwarding, checksums, . . . ) andtransitions from different types of entry points, wherein, for example,routing, modulation, amplification, and dispersion correction modules(DCMs) can all contribute to higher latency (e.g., longer travel timesof light signals during transmission via an optical cable); andbandwidth (e.g., throughput), which can be thought of as the averagerate of data flow, wherein bandwidth can be directly proportional tofrequency in the optical transmission case, which accordingly can set amaximal throughput value, and wherein bandwidth can be degraded by anumber of, and a confluence of, factors, including the factors describedherein.

The disclosed subject matter can overcome the aforementioned issues(e.g., degraded or damaged optical cables undesirably impactingcommunication of data, particular issues relating to using twisted lightto communicate data via optical cables, dispersion issues, . . . ) andother issues relating to transmitting data using light signalscommunicated via optical cables. The disclosed subject matter canefficiently mitigate (e.g., reduce, minimize, or eliminate) errorsassociated with communicating light signals (e.g., light signalscomprising data), and associated data, via optical cables. The disclosedsubject matter also can increase the throughput over the fiber opticchannel (e.g., optical cable 104), can enhance QoS for opticalcommunication of data, and can increase the performance and efficiencyof the optical communication network of the system 100 overall.

In accordance with various embodiments, the system 100 can comprise acommunication management component (CMC) 114, which can comprise asynchronization component 116, at the transmission side, and a CMC 118at the receiving side that can employ techniques and methods that canefficiently and effectively measure and compensate for the impact ofdegraded or damaged optical cables (e.g., fiber optic cables of a fiberoptic-based data transmission system), in part, by comparing opticalcarriers of two of more wavelengths that can be modulated using twistedlight or traditional optical carrier techniques. As more fully describedherein, the CMC 114 can include timing synchronization pulses on eachoptical carrier (e.g., light signal) simultaneously or at differenttimes (e.g., different times that are known), and the CMC 118 and/or CMC114 can use the differential arrival times and distortioncharacteristics of each optical carrier's timing synchronization pulsesto determine or characterize a desirable (e.g., suitable, useful, oroptimal) error compensation action, which can be used to compensate for,correct, or mitigate error associated with transmission of opticalcarriers via an optical cable (e.g., optical cable 104), in a dynamicenvironment. The disclosed subject matter can thereby reduce instancesfor using dispersion compensation devices as that function of dispersioncompensation devices can be incorporated into the ISO Layer 1 waveformsand compensation can leverage the mechanisms (e.g., mechanisms employedby the CMC 114 and/or CMC 118), as described herein.

The CMC 114 and/or CMC 118, by utilizing timing synchronization pulsesfor optical carriers of two or more wavelengths, can determinedifferential measurement data across two or more wavelengths, based atleast in part on the respective timing synchronization pulses of theoptical carriers. The CMC 114 and/or CMC 118 can use the differentialmeasurement data (e.g., delta information) to determine a compensationaction that can compensate for the variations in the individualwaveforms of the optical carriers. For instance, the CMC 114 and/or CMC118 can compensate for (e.g., can perform an automatic calibration tocompensate for) error associated with transmission of optical carriers,comprising data, using (e.g., based at least in part on)cross-wavelengths time differentials derived from analysis of theoptical carriers of different wavelengths and respectively associatedtiming synchronization pulses, as more fully described herein. In someembodiments, the CMC 114 and/or CMC 118 can apply such compensation orautomatic calibration techniques to various types of light sourceprotocols, such as, for example, light emitting diode (LED) incoherentlight source protocols, in terms of, or in connection with, multimodaldispersion correction schemes, as more fully described herein.

Traditional techniques that seek to increase signal cohesion (e.g.,reduce dispersion effects) can have an undesirable (e.g., negative)impact on overall performance (e.g., latency, bandwidth, . . . ) of anoptical transmission system. For instance, a common technique can be toreduce the speed of faster data traffic to allow slower data traffic tocatch up to the faster data traffic. In contrast to traditionaltechniques, the disclosed subject matter, employing the CMC 114 and/orCMC 118, can utilize natural and predictable dispersion to facilitateperforming error correction and dynamic enhancement (e.g., dynamicoptimization) with regard to transmission of optical carriers,comprising data, via optical cables.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4 (along with FIG. 1), FIGS. 2-4 are diagrams ofvarious types of transmissions of signals via optical cables tofacilitate illustrating certain issues with regard to transmission ofoptical carriers as well as how the disclosed subject matter can addressand overcome issues with regard to transmission of optical carriers.FIG. 2 depicts a diagram of an example signal transmission 200 via asingle mode fiber. The example signal transmission 200 can comprise asingle message (e.g., “Hello World”) communicated via one signal thatcan be encoded on and carried by three frequencies, comprising thesignal carried by a first frequency 202, the signal carried by a secondfrequency 204, and the signal carried by a third frequency 206,transmitted by one source to one destination. This can be a commontechnique used in a number of legacy fiber systems.

One downside of this single mode technique can be that the same dataarrives at the destination at different times or the message can bespread out over time (e.g., chromatic dispersion). Chromatic dispersioncan result from the spectral width, wherein the spectral width candetermine the number of different wavelengths that are emitted from theLED or laser light source. For instance, the smaller the spectral width,the fewer emitted wavelengths. Generally, longer wavelengths can travelfaster than shorter wavelengths (e.g., higher frequencies), and thelonger wavelengths can arrive at the end of the fiber optic link aheadof the shorter wavelengths, which can spread the signal. A commontechnique to decrease chromatic dispersion can be to narrow the spectralwidth. For example, a laser can have a narrower spectral width thantraditional LEDs (e.g., non-coherent light source). An upside of thesingle mode technique can be that the difference in arrival times orchromatic dispersion can readily be corrected by inserting by insertinga device(s) along the fiber optic path that can correct the undesiredeffect. Often such device can create a lag on faster signals so that allfrequencies deliver their message at the same time or substantially thesame time.

FIG. 3 presents a diagram of an example signal transmission 300 via amultimodal optical fiber, in accordance with aspects and embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. The example signal transmission 300 can bea representation of a somewhat more modern approach to fiber design. Theexample signal transmission 300 can include a first mode 302 (e.g.,first path), a second mode 304, and a third mode 306 that can travelalong the fiber optic link 308. In this multimodal technique, as can beobserved, the respective modes 302, 304, and 306 (e.g., paths) travelingalong the fiber optic link 308 can vary in length, wherein the mode 302can be shorter in length than mode 304 and mode 306, since mode 302 istraveling straight down the center of the fiber optic link 308 insteadof bouncing off of the walls of the fiber optic link 308, and mode 304can be shorter in length than mode 306, as mode 304 travels in arelatively straighter path than mode 306. In general, the sameinformation is still being sent at the same time, but now there can be atime lag due to the path length (e.g., modal dispersion). As indicated,modal dispersion can relate to the path or mode of each light ray. Somelight rays (e.g., mode 302) can travel in a straight line, and otherlight rays (e.g., mode 304, mode 306) can bounce (e.g., repeatedlybounce) off of the cladding or core of the fiber optic link 308. Forinstance, high-order nodes can enter at sharp angles, and they can takelonger to reach the end of the fiber optic link 308 and can contributeto modal dispersion.

There can be frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) approaches that cancarry a number of messages over the same fiber optic link 308 at thesame time. However, nonetheless, even in such schemes where messages canbe segregated into different spectral channels, within these channelsthere often can be clusters of different modes all carrying the samemessage along paths of varying length (e.g., mode 302, mode 304, and/ormode 306). Multimodal techniques can be relatively effective for LEDsource systems, in that often these are not laser-LEDs, but ratherregular LEDs that emit a non-coherent light source (e.g., light raysemerge traveling in various different directions). A disadvantage ofsuch multimodal techniques can be that they can suffer from bothchromatic and modal dispersion, which can produce time lag effects. Toreconcile these time lag effects, techniques and devices can be employedto slow down faster traffic, for example, from the fiber constructionitself or from external devices, to allow the slower traffic to catch upto the faster traffic, with the desired goal of delivering a coherentmessage to the destination device. For instance, a common technique toreduce modal dispersion can be to utilize a graded-index fiber, whereinthe graded-index fiber's cladding can be doped so that the refractiveindex can gradually decrease over many layers. Using graded-index fibercan cause the light to travel in a more curved path, wherein thehigh-order nodes can spend much of the time traveling in the lower-indexcladding layers near the outside of the fiber, and the lower-index corelayers allow the light to travel faster than in the higher-index centerlayers, and, as a result, their higher velocity can compensate for thelonger paths of these high-order nodes.

Another type of dispersion that can be experienced in transmission oflight signals via a fiber optic link can be material dispersion.Material dispersion can be caused by the wavelength dependence on therefractive index of the fiber core material, while the waveguidedispersion can occur due to dependence of the mode propagation constanton the fiber parameters (e.g., core radius, and the difference betweenrefractive indexes in the fiber core and fiber cladding) and signalwavelength. Material dispersion can contribute to group delaydistortion, along with waveguide delay distortion, deferential modedelay, and multimode group delay spread.

FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of an example signal transmission 400illustrating chromatic differentials in light signals based on therespective wavelengths of the light signals. There can a first lightsignal 402 having a first wavelength, a second light signal 404 having afirst wavelength, and a third light signal 406 having a thirdwavelength, which can be depicted as traveling in a straight line. Ascan be observed, there can be a first time differential 408 between thefirst light signal 402 and the second light signal 404 that can be basedat least in part on the difference between the first wavelength of thefirst light signal 402 and the second wavelength of the second lightsignal 404. There also can be a second time differential 410 between thesecond light signal 404 and the third light signal 406 that can be basedat least in part on the difference between the second wavelength of thesecond light signal 404 and the third wavelength of the third lightsignal 406.

Referring again briefly to FIG. 3, the example signal transmission 300also can illustrate a multimodal differential between light signals ofdifferent wavelengths. For instance, the first mode 302, which can be afirst light signal having a first wavelength, can travel a first pathalong the fiber optic link 308 that can be 1 distance unit in length.The second mode 304, which can be a second light signal having a secondwavelength, can travel a second path along the fiber optic link 308 thatcan be 1.5 distance units in length. The third mode 306, which can be athird light signal having a third wavelength, can travel a third pathalong the fiber optic link 308 that can be 4 distance units in length.

As disclosed, some traditional techniques can employ dispersioncompensation devices to attempt to compensate for undesired dispersioneffects in optical transmissions via a fiber optic link. Dispersioncompensation devices can include, for example, dispersion compensationdevices that can be fiber optic in nature and/or can be for multimodalfiber. Dispersion compensation devices that can be fiber optic in naturecan have certain undesirable qualities, including that they can have anundesirably high insertion loss. Dispersion compensation devices, tools,or techniques for multimodal fiber also can have some undesirablequalities, including that they can be undesirably limited to one or moreof the following restrictions: an undesirably limited operationalbandwidth, an undesirably limited total dispersion, an undesirably lowpeak power handling, and/or an undesirably large special footprint.

With further regard to FIG. 1, various aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter will be described or further described. In some embodiments, theCMC 114 can embed timing synchronization pulses in desired places (e.g.,time locations) in light signals (e.g., optical carriers) of respectivewavelengths to facilitate determining error (e.g., an amount of error, atype(s) of error) in transmission of light signals via the optical cable104. The CMC 114 can comprise a synchronization component 116 (SYNCH.COMP.) that can generate the timing synchronization pulses and embed orencode respective timing synchronization pulses in respective lightsignals having respective wavelengths. For instance, with regard to two(or more) light signals being processed for transmission via the opticalcable 104, the synchronization component 116 can embed a first timingsynchronization pulse in a first location (e.g., first time location) ina first light signal having a first wavelength and a second timingsynchronization pulse in a second location (e.g., second time location)in a second light signal having a second wavelength. In someembodiments, the second location in the second light signal can be thesame as (e.g., the same time instance as) the first location in thefirst light signal, such that the transmitter component 106 can transmitthe first timing synchronization pulse with the first signalsimultaneously with the transmitting of the second timingsynchronization pulse with the second signal. In other embodiments, thesecond location in the second light signal can be different from (e.g.,a different time instance from) the first location in the first lightsignal such that the transmitter component 106 can transmit the firsttiming synchronization pulse with the first signal at a different timethan the transmitting of the second timing synchronization pulse withthe second signal, wherein a CMC 118 of the receiver component 110 canknow the first and second locations of the first and second timingsynchronization pulses in the first and second signals. In certainembodiments, the synchronization component 116 can generate and embed,or facilitate embedding, timing synchronization pulses in light signalsrandomly or pseudo-randomly, in accordance with a defined timingsynchronization pulse algorithm, to facilitate enhanced security of thelight signals.

Referring to FIG. 5 (along with FIG. 1), FIG. 5 depicts a block diagramof an example system 500 that embed or encode respective timingsynchronization pulses in respective light signals having respectivewavelengths to facilitate managing communication of light signals andoptical cables used to communicate the light signals to mitigate errorassociated with using optical cables to communicate light signals, inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter. The system 500 can comprise the CMC 114, which can include thesynchronization component 116 and an encoder modulator component 120(ENC. MOD. COMP.).

The CMC 114 can process light signals received from a light sourcecomponent 112 (not shown in FIG. 5). For instance, the CMC 114 canprocess light signals, comprising a first light signal 502 having afirst wavelength, a second light signal 504 having a second wavelength,and/or third light signal 506 having a third wavelength. It is to beappreciated and understood that, while three light signals are describedherein with regard to FIG. 5, in other embodiments, the disclosedsubject matter can involve the CMC 114 processing more or less thanthree light signals, as desired.

The synchronization component 116 can generate a first timingsynchronization pulse 508. The synchronization component 116 or encodermodulator component 120 can embed or encode the first timingsynchronization pulse 508 in the first light signal 502, wherein thefirst timing synchronization pulse 508 can be associated with a firsttime 510 (t1) (e.g., first time instance), which can be a firsttransmission time or other first time associated with the first lightsignal 502.

The synchronization component 116 also can generate a second timingsynchronization pulse 512. The synchronization component 116 or encodermodulator component 120 can embed or encode the second timingsynchronization pulse 512 in the second light signal 504, wherein, insome embodiments, the second timing synchronization pulse 512 can beassociated with the first time 510, or, in other embodiments, the secondtiming synchronization pulse 512 can be associated with a second time514 (t2) (e.g., second time instance), wherein the second time 514 canbe a second transmission time or other second time associated with thesecond light signal 504.

In some embodiments, the synchronization component 116 can generate athird timing synchronization pulse 516. The synchronization component116 or encoder modulator component 120 can embed or encode the thirdtiming synchronization pulse 516 in the third light signal 506, wherein,in some embodiments, the third timing synchronization pulse 516 can beassociated with the first time 510, or, in other embodiments, the thirdtiming synchronization pulse 516 can be associated with a third time 518(t3) (e.g., third time instance), wherein the third time 518 can be athird transmission time or other third time associated with the thirdlight signal 506.

When the first timing synchronization pulse 508 in the first lightsignal 502, second timing synchronization pulse 512 in the second lightsignal 504, and third timing synchronization pulse 516 in the thirdlight signal 506 are all at the same time, the first time 510, the CMC118 at the receiver component 110 (not shown in FIG. 5) can analyze andcompare the first light signal 502 and associated first timingsynchronization pulse 508, second light signal 504 and associated secondtiming synchronization pulse 512, and third light signal 506 andassociated third timing synchronization pulse 516, with the knowledgethat the first timing synchronization pulse 508, second timingsynchronization pulse 512, and third timing synchronization pulse 516are all associated with the same time, the first time 510.

In other embodiments, when the first timing synchronization pulse 508 inthe first light signal 502, second timing synchronization pulse 512 inthe second light signal 504, and third timing synchronization pulse 516in the third light signal 506 are at different times, the first time 510for the first timing synchronization pulse 508, the second time 514 forthe second timing synchronization pulse 512, and the third time 518 forthe third timing synchronization pulse 516, the CMC 118 at the receivercomponent 110 (not shown in FIG. 5) can analyze and compare the firstlight signal 502 and associated first timing synchronization pulse 508,second light signal 504 and associated second timing synchronizationpulse 512, and third light signal 506 and associated third timingsynchronization pulse 516, with the knowledge that the first timingsynchronization pulse 508, second timing synchronization pulse 512, andthird timing synchronization pulse 516 are all at the same time, thefirst time 510. That is, the CMC 118 can have knowledge beforehand (orbased on information contained in one or more of the light signals 502,504, or 506) that the respective timing synchronization pulses (e.g.,508, 512, 516) are associated with different time instances (e.g., firsttime 510, second time 514, third time 518). The CMC 118 can perform theanalysis on the respective light signals (e.g., 502, 504, 506) and theassociated timing synchronization pulses (e.g., 508, 512, 516) based atleast in part on such knowledge regarding the different time instancesassociated with the respective timing synchronization pulses (e.g., 508,512, 516).

For instance, when employing different time instances (e.g., first time510, second time 514, third time 518) for the timing synchronizationpulses (e.g., 508, 512, 516), the CMC 114 can determine or generate therespective time instances (e.g., first time 510, second time 514, thirdtime 518) based at least in part on a defined timing synchronizationalgorithm. In some embodiments, the defined timing synchronizationalgorithm, and/or a random number generator component (not shown in FIG.5) of the synchronization component 116, can be utilized to generaterandom or pseudo-random numbers that can be utilized as, or can beutilized to determine, the different time instances (e.g., first time510, second time 514, third time 518) for the timing synchronizationpulses (e.g., 508, 512, 516). The CMC 118 at the receiver component 110can employ the same defined timing synchronization algorithm, and/or asame type of random number generator component, to generatecorresponding (e.g., same) random or pseudo-random numbers that can beutilized as, or can be utilized to determine, the different timeinstances (e.g., first time 510, second time 514, third time 518) forthe timing synchronization pulses (e.g., 508, 512, 516) received by thereceiver component 110 with the light signals (e.g., 502, 504, 506).

In certain embodiments, the CMC 114 can generate the respective timingsynchronization pulses (e.g., 508, 512, 516) to have or compriserespective timing synchronization pulse values that can be based atleast in part on the respective time instances (e.g., first time 510,second time 514, third time 518), in accordance with the defined timingsynchronization algorithm. Thus, a first timing synchronization pulsevalue of the first timing synchronization pulse 508 can indicate thefirst time 510 associated with the first timing synchronization pulse508, a second timing synchronization pulse value of the second timingsynchronization pulse 512 can indicate the second time 514 associatedwith the second timing synchronization pulse 512, and a third timingsynchronization pulse value of the third timing synchronization pulse516 can indicate the third time 518 associated with the third timingsynchronization pulse 516. The CMC 118 at the receiver component 110 candetermine the respective time instances (e.g., first time 510, secondtime 514, third time 518) of the respective timing synchronizationpulses (e.g., 508, 512, 516) based at least in part on the results ofanalyzing the respective (e.g., first, second, third) timingsynchronization pulse values of the respective timing synchronizationpulses (e.g., 508, 512, 516), in accordance with the defined timingsynchronization algorithm.

With further regard to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the CMC 114 cansqueeze light signals to generate squeezed light signals that can have areduced quantum uncertainty and reduced amplified spontaneous emission(ASE), as compared to the original light signals. Squeezed light caninvolve the removal of relatively small quantum fluctuations, which canbe called noise, in waves of light. Ordinarily, light can have equaluncertainty in phase and amplitude in its coherent state. When the lightis squeezed, the uncertainty in phase and amplitude is no longer equallydivided. The resulting squeezed light signal can have a reduced quantumuncertainty. Squeezed light states can be used, for example, to produceone-sided device-independent quantum key distribution. With regard toASE, light signals can have a certain amount of ASE, which can be lightproduced by spontaneous emission, wherein ASE often can be produced oramplified by optical or fiber amplifiers (not shown in FIG. 1)associated with the optical circuit (e.g., associated with the opticalcable 104), which thereby can increase undesired noise in the opticalcircuit. In certain embodiments, the CMC 114 can process a light signalvia optical interference to generate a processed light signal (e.g., asqueezed light signal) that can have reduced quantum uncertainty andreduced ASE, as compared to the original light signal, as more fullydescribed herein.

In accordance with various embodiments, additionally or alternatively,the CMC 114 can twist light signals (e.g., lights signals or squeezedlight signals) to generate twisted light signals. For instance, the CMC114 can manipulate quantum spins of respective photons of a light signalto generate a twisted light signal comprising twisted photons, whereineach photon can have a desired number of twists (e.g., 1, 2, 3, . . . ,8, 16, 32, . . . , 1024, . . . , or 65,535 twists, or other desirednumber of twists greater than or less than 65,535 twists). The higherthe number of twists of a photon, the more bits of data that can beencoded in the photon (e.g., 10 bits of data can be encoded on a twistedphoton having 1023 twists; 15 bits of data can be encoded on a twistedphoton having 65,535 twists), and thus, the more bits of data that canbe transmitted by the twisted light signal, as compared to an ordinarylight signal where only one bit of data can be encoded per photon. Whenthe photons are entangled, the CMC 114 can encode the entangled pair ofphotons with, or assign the entangled pair of photons, identification(e.g., address or serial) numbers (e.g., number 1000000000 for 512twists, and number 1000000001 for 513 twists) to facilitate identifyingthe respective twists, and accordingly, respective locations of bits ofdata encoded on the twisted photons, as more fully described herein.

As disclosed, the CMC 114 also can comprise the encoder modulatorcomponent 120, which can receive data in the form of electrical signals(e.g., digital data in the formal of electrical signals) and can convertand/or encode such data in the form of electrical signals into lightsignals (e.g., ordinary light signals or twisted light signals) that canrepresent the data in optical form. The encoder modulator component 120also can encode or incorporate the timing synchronization pulse in thelight signal. In some embodiments, the encoder modulator component 120can generate error correction information (e.g., forward errorcorrection (FEC) data) that can be incorporated into or appended to thedata encoded in the light signals.

At a desired time, the transmitter component 106 can transmit respectivelight signals (e.g., encoded light signals) having respectivewavelengths and comprising respective timing synchronization pulsesthrough the optical cable 104 to the receiver component 110 of the othertransceiver component 108. The receiver component 110 can receive therespective light signals from the optical cable 104. The CMC 118 cancomprise a detector component 122 (DETECT COMP.) that can detect thelight signals (e.g., optical signals) received from the optical cable104. The CMC 118 also can include a decoder demodulator component 124(DEC. DEMOD. COMP.) that can decode and/or demodulate the light signalsto convert the light signals to electrical signals (e.g., digitalsignals) and recover the respective data, respective timingsynchronization pulses, and/or respective error correction informationencoded in, embedded in, or associated with the light signals.

The CMC 118 further can include a characteristics identifier component126 (CHAR. ID COMP.) that can identify or determine characteristics oflight signals, and/or characteristics of the optical cable (e.g., 104)utilized to transmit the light signals, based at least in part on ananalysis of the light signals, including the respective timingsynchronization pulses of the light signals. For example, with regard toa first light signal and second light signal, the CMC 118 can analyzethe first and second light signals. Based at least in part on theresults of the analysis, the CMC 118 can determine a first group ofcharacteristics associated with the first signal, including determiningthe first time of arrival of the first timing synchronization pulse ofthe first light signal, the first wavelength of the first light signal,the first light intensity level of the first signal, the first powerlevel of the first signal, and/or other characteristics associated withthe first light signal. Also, based at least in part on the results ofthe analysis, the CMC 118 can determine a second group ofcharacteristics associated with the second signal, including determiningthe second time of arrival of the second timing synchronization pulse ofthe second light signal, the second wavelength of the second lightsignal, the second light intensity level of the first signal, the secondpower level of the first signal, and/or other characteristics associatedwith the second light signal. The CMC 118 also can determine or know thefirst expected time of arrival of the first timing synchronization pulseand the second expected time of arrival of the second timingsynchronization pulse.

The CMC 118 can determine an error (e.g., an amount of error and/or atype(s) of error) associated with the transmission of the first andsecond light signals via the optical cable 104 based at least in part onan analysis (e.g., comparison) of the first group of characteristicsassociated with the first signal and the second group of characteristicsassociated with the second light signal. In some embodiments, based atleast in part on the results of the analysis of the first group ofcharacteristics and the second group of characteristics, the CMC 118 candetermine a third group of characteristics associated with the opticalcable 104, wherein the third group of characteristics can characterizethe conditions (e.g., structural and/or operating conditions) of theoptical cable 104, performance of the optical cable 104 (e.g.,respective performance of the optical cable 104 in transmittingrespective light signals of different wavelengths), and/or otherfeatures of the optical cable 104.

For instance, the CMC 118 can determine or infer characteristics of theQoS, the optical cable 104, and/or the respective light signals based atleast in part on identified deviations in comparative estimated times ofarrival for respective (e.g., different) light frequencies (andcorresponding wavelengths) over a same path of the optical cable 104.The CMC 118 also can compare expected relative intensities of eachfrequency type for the respective light signals of respectivewavelengths, and can determine or infer characteristics of the QoS, theoptical cable 104, and/or the respective light signals based at least inpart on differences in the intensities of each frequency type, asdetermined by the CMC 118. For instance, different modes and frequenciescan degrade (e.g., lose power, measured in decibels) at different rates,and the CMC 118 can know this (e.g., can have information regarding suchdegradation) and can take this into account when comparing the relativeintensities of each frequency type for the respective light signals, anddetermining or inferring characteristics of the QoS, the optical cable104, and/or the respective light signals. The CMC 118 can determine andinfer such information (e.g., characteristics of the QoS, the opticalcable 104, and/or the respective light signals) and other informationregarding the respective qualities of the light signals in real time orsubstantially in real time, without having to perform undesirably (e.g.,excessively) time-consuming computations.

For example, the degrading of cladding in the optical cable 104 cancause a blockage, splintering, or other type of discrepancy relative toexisting deltas with regard to transmission of light signals via theoptical cable 104. Based at least in part on the results of analyzingthe received light signals of respective wavelengths and havingrespective timing synchronization pulses, the CMC 118 can determine suchdegrading of the cladding in the optical cable 104. Since theunderstanding of the CMC 118 and/or CMC 114 can be based at least inpart on the current function of a certain portion of the path (e.g.,fiber path) of the optical cable 104, the CMC 118 and/or CMC 114 canhave a view into the real-time performance of the optical cable 104(e.g., the data link). In contrast to traditional systems andtechniques, which can be based on theoretical projections of assumedcharacteristics, the disclosed subject matter can enable the CMC 114and/or CMC 118 to desirably understand and adapt to (e.g., determine andimplement a compensation action to adapt to) the ever changing physicalenvironment of the system 100, including the optical cable 104.

As a further example, the CMC 118 can compare the difference between thefirst time of arrival and the first expected time of arrival of thefirst timing synchronization pulse to determine whether there is asignificant amount of difference between the first time of arrival andthe first expected time of arrival of the first timing synchronizationpulse, which can indicate that the optical cable 104 has certain damageor degradation that is causing an error and/or substandard performanceof the optical cable 104 in transmitting light signals that have thefirst wavelength. The CMC 118 can similarly compare the differencebetween the second time of arrival and the second expected time ofarrival of the second timing synchronization pulse to determine whetherthe optical cable 104 has certain damage or degradation that is causingerror and/or substandard performance of the optical cable 104 intransmitting light signals that have the second wavelength.

As another example, the CMC 118 can compare the first time of arrival ofthe first timing synchronization pulse with the second time of arrivalof the second timing synchronization pulse, taking into account therespective first wavelength and second wavelength of the first andsecond light signals, to determine whether there is an error in thetransmission of the first light signal and/or second light signal,and/or determine whether the optical cable 104 has some damage ordegradation that is causing error and/or substandard performance of theoptical cable 104 in transmitting light signals that have the firstwavelength and/or the second wavelength.

As still another example, the CMC 118 can compare the first intensitylevel or first power level associated with the first light signal to anexpected first intensity level or expected first power level for thefirst light signal, and/or can compare the first intensity level orfirst power level to the second intensity level or second power levelassociated with the second light signal, taking into account therespective first wavelength and second wavelength of the first andsecond light signals. Based at least in part on the results of suchcomparison, the CMC 118 can determine whether there is an error in thetransmission of the first light signal and/or second light signal,and/or can determine whether the optical cable 104 has some damage ordegradation that is causing such error and/or substandard performance ofthe optical cable 104 in transmitting light signals that have the firstwavelength and/or the second wavelength. For instance, if the CMC 118determines that the first intensity level is significantly lower thanthe expected first intensity level, or the difference between the firstintensity level and the second intensity level is significantlydifferent from or more than what is expected, the CMC 118 can determinethat there is an error associated with the transmission of the first andsecond light signals, and can determine that damage or degradation ofthe optical cable 104 is causing such error and/or substandardperformance of the optical cable 104 in transmitting light signals thathave the first wavelength and/or the second wavelength.

Based at least in part on, and in response to, determining the error inthe transmission of the first and second light signals via the opticalcable 104, and based at least in part on the results of the analysis ofthe first group of characteristics, second group of characteristics,and/or third group of characteristics, the CMC 118 (or the CMC 114) candetermine and manage implementation (e.g., execution) of a compensationaction that can be performed to mitigate (e.g., reduce, minimize, avoid,or eliminate, . . . ) the error with regard to subsequent transmissionsof light signals, which can include transmission of light signals viathe optical cable 104. For instance, the CMC 118 (or the CMC 114) candetermine a compensation action that can comprise suspending at leastone frequency or wavelength from encoding during a subsequenttransmission of light signals via the optical cable 104, initiating areplacement of all or a portion of the optical cable 104, initiatingrepair of or maintenance on a portion of the optical cable 104,adjusting a transmission rate of a subsequent transmission of lightsignals (e.g., via the optical cable 104), and/or adjusting a route ofthe subsequent transmission of light signals.

For example, if, based at least in part on the error and analysisresults, the CMC 118 (or the CMC 114) determines that the error isresulting at least in part from the optical cable 104 not transmittingthe first light signal having the first wavelength as fast as it should,which can be due in part to degradation of the optical cable 104negatively affecting lights signals having the first wavelength, the CMC118 (or the CMC 114) can determine that the first wavelength (andcorresponding frequency), and/or one or more other wavelengths (and oneor more corresponding frequencies) that also can be negatively affectedby such degradation of the optical cable 104, are to be suspended fromencoding during subsequent transmissions of light signals via theoptical cable 104, wherein the CMC 118 (or the CMC 114) can determinethe one or more other wavelengths based at least in part on the firstwavelength. As a result, when transmitting light signals comprisingdata, the CMC 118 (or the CMC 114) can utilize light signals havingwavelengths (and corresponding frequencies) for encoding of data otherthan the suspended first wavelength and/or one or more other wavelengths(and corresponding frequencies).

As another example, if, based at least in part on the error and analysisresults, the CMC 118 (or the CMC 114) determines that the error isresulting at least in part from damage or degradation of a portion ofthe optical cable 104, the CMC 118 (or the CMC 114) can initiate anorder or recommendation to replace, repair, or perform maintenance onthe portion of the optical cable 104. Additionally or alternatively, theCMC 118 (or the CMC 114) can suspend transmission of light signals viathat portion of the optical cable 104 and/or can adjust a route ofsubsequent transmissions of light signals to route the light signals viaanother optical cable path (e.g., via another optical cable) to avoidtransmitting the light signals through that portion of the optical cable104. Additionally or alternatively, the CMC 118 (or the CMC 114) canadjust (e.g., slow down) the transmission rate of a subsequenttransmission of light signals when being transmitted in that portion, inproximity to that portion, of the optical cable 104 to account for theslower transmission speeds that can occur in that portion of the opticalcable 104 due to the damage or degradation to that portion of theoptical cable 104.

In accordance with various embodiments, the CMC 118 can communicateerror information relating to the error, characteristics informationrelating to the respective characteristics of the respective lightsignals and/or characteristics of the optical cable 104, compensationaction information relating to a compensation action(s) determined inconnection with the transmission of the respective light signals, and/orother information to the CMC 114 via a feedback path (e.g., a dedicationfeedback path) between the CMC 118 and CMC 114, via the optical cable104, or via another optical cable between the transceiver component 108and transceiver component 102. The CMC 114 can utilize the errorinformation and/or characteristics information to determine andimplement a compensation action, for example, if the CMC 118 has notalready determined a compensation action, and/or can utilize thecompensation action information to implement the compensation action. Insome embodiments, additionally or alternatively, the CMC 118 canimplicitly inform the CMC 114 of the error, the respectivecharacteristics of the respective signals, the characteristics of theoptical cable 104, and/or the compensation action by adjustments the CMC118 makes at the receiving end, based at least in part on the error, therespective characteristics of the respective signals, thecharacteristics of the optical cable 104, and/or the compensationaction, that are detected by the CMC 114. Additionally or alternatively,the CMC 118 can implicitly inform the CMC 114 of the error, therespective characteristics of the respective signals, thecharacteristics of the optical cable 104, and/or the compensation actionby parameter information (e.g., changes in parameters) relating tocommunication of light signals via the optical cable 104, wherein theCMC 118 can determine changes to the parameters based at least in parton the error, the respective characteristics of the respective signals,the characteristics of the optical cable 104, and/or the compensationaction, and wherein the parameter information can be communicated toand/or detected by the CMC 114. The CMC 114 can analyze the implicitinformation (e.g., information relating to adjustments the CMC 118 made,parameter information relating to changes in parameters) it detects, andcan determine the error, the respective characteristics of therespective signals, the characteristics of the optical cable 104, and/orthe compensation action, based at least in part on the results ofanalyzing such implicit information.

Additionally or alternatively, the CMC 118 can communicate suchinformation to another device or associated entity. For example, inresponse to determining that a section of the optical cable 104 issignificantly damaged or impaired to the point that the section of theoptical cable 104 is not suitable for use in communicating data, the CMC118 can communicate such information with a request, instruction, orrecommendation to repair or replace the section of the optical cable 104to a communication device associated with an entity (e.g., a servicetechnician or manager who is responsible for maintaining the opticalcables) to initiate repair or replacement of the section of the opticalcable 104.

It is to be appreciated and understood that, while CMC 114 on thetransmitter side is described with regard to system 100 as comprisingdifferent components (e.g., synchronization component 116, encodermodulator component 120) than the components (e.g., detector component122, decoder demodulator component 124, characteristics identifiercomponent 126) of the CMC 118 on the receiver side, the disclosedsubject matter is not so limited, as, in some embodiments, the CMC 114of the transceiver component 102 and the CMC 118 of the othertransceiver component 108 can comprise the same components (e.g.,synchronization component 116, encoder modulator component 120, detectorcomponent 122, decoder demodulator component 124, characteristicsidentifier component 126, and/or other components) and can be associatedwith transmitter component and receiver component of the transceivercomponent with which the CMC is associated (e.g., in which the CMC iscontained).

Turning to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an examplesystem 600 that can process light signals to squeeze and/or twist thelight signals and can manage communication of such light signals andoptical cables used to communicate such light signals to mitigate errorassociated with using optical cables to communicate light signals, inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter. The system 600 can comprise a transceiver component 602 that cantransmit or receive light signals. The light signals communicated to orfrom the transceiver component 602 can comprise information (e.g.,encoded bits of data). For instance, the transceiver component 602 cancomprise a transmitter component 604 that can transmit light signalscomprising information. The transmitter component 604 can include alight source component 606 that can generate light signals (e.g.,optical carriers) that can be utilized to encode and transmitinformation. The light source component 606 can be and can function,such as more fully described herein.

The transmitter component 604 can comprise or be associated with a CMC608 that can manage the communication of lights signals (e.g., lightsignals comprising information), determine errors associated with thecommunication of light signals via optical cables, such as optical cable610, determine compensation actions that can be implemented to mitigate(e.g., reduce, minimize, avoid, eliminate, compensate for, . . . ) theerrors associated with the communication of light signals via opticalcables, implement (e.g., execute) or facilitate implementing thecompensations, and/or perform other functions or operations, as morefully described herein. The CMC 608 can be associated with (e.g.,connected to) the light source component 606, and can receive lightsignals from the light source component 606.

The CMC 608 can comprise a synchronization component 612 (SYNCH. COMP.612) that can generate timing synchronization pulses and embedrespective timing synchronization pulses in respective light signalshaving respective wavelengths, as more fully described herein. The CMC608 also can include an encoder modulator component 614 (ENC. MOD. COMP.614) that can be associated with (e.g., connected to) thesynchronization component 612. The encoder modulator component 614 canreceive data in the form of electrical signals and can convert and/orencode such data in the form of electrical signals into the lightsignals (e.g., ordinary light signals or twisted light signals), whichcan represent the data in optical form. The encoder modulator component614 also can encode or incorporate timing synchronization pulses inlight signals. In some embodiments, the encoder modulator component 614can generate error correction information, which can be appended to thedata encoded in the light signals.

In some embodiments, the CMC 608 can include a squeezer component 616(SQUEEZER COMP. 616) that can squeeze light signals to generate squeezedlight signals that can have a reduced quantum uncertainty and reducedASE as compared to the original light signals. In certain embodiments,the squeezer component 616 can process a light signal via opticalinterference (e.g., multi-level or multi-stage optical interference) togenerate a processed light signal (e.g., a squeezed light signal) thatcan have reduced quantum uncertainty and reduced ASE, as more fullydescribed herein.

In certain embodiments, the disclosed subject matter also can employtwisted light to facilitate desirable (e g , enhanced) encoding ofinformation in light signals. The orbital angular momentum (OAM) oflight is a component of angular momentum of a light signal (e.g., lightbeam) that can be dependent on the field spatial distribution of thelight, and is not dependent on the polarization of the light. High-orderOAM can be a quantum mechanical state that can be observed at themacroscopic level. One aspect of high-order OAM is optical vortices,which can be utilized for various applications, such as, for example,optical tweezing (e.g., spinning of microscopic objects), creatingimaging systems, and quantum optics (e.g., optical vortices can providecertain insights into quantum optics due to the behavior of opticalvortices within nonlinear materials). An optical vortex also can bereferred to as twisted light or topological charge. In an opticalvortex, light can be twisted like a corkscrew around its axis of travel.Due to the twisting of the light, the light waves at the axis itself cancancel each other out. As a result, when an optical vortex is projectedonto a flat surface, the optical vortex can appear like a ring of lightwith a dark hole in the center. Such a corkscrew of light with thedarkness at the center can be referred to as an optical vortex (ortwisted light or topological charge).

To facilitate generating twisted light signals, the CMC 608 can comprisea twisted light generator component 618 (TWISTED LIGHT GEN. COMP. 618)that can twist photons of light signals (e.g., ordinary or unprocessedlight signals, or squeezed light signals) to generate twisted lightsignals such that the photons of the twisted light signals can have adesired number of twists. For instance, the twisted light generatorcomponent 618 can manipulate quantum spins of respective photons of alight signal to generate a twisted light signal comprising twistedphotons. The more twists of a photon, the more bits of data that can beencoded in the photon. For instance, the twisted light generatorcomponent 618 and the encoder modulator component 614 can operate inconjunction with each other to encode bits of data in high-dimensionalstates of the photon (e.g., twisted photon). The ability to perform suchencoding can be due in part to a quantum mechanical phenomenon known asoptical orbital momentum.

The photon can take on a desired number of quantum twists, wherein thequantum twists of the photon can have a physically observable effect.For instance, a beam of twisted light, comprising twisted photons, whenprojected on a flat, smooth surface, can reveal a shadow around itscircumference (e.g., like an inverse halo) where a set of concentricrings can be observed, wherein the number of rings can be proportionalto the number of twists of the photons of the twisted light. This canappear like a concentric of shadow bands that can surround the spotlight. The number of twists on a photon can be counted, for example, bycounting the number of rings, similar to determining the age of a treeby counting the rings in the trunk of the tree.

Referring briefly to FIG. 7 (along with FIG. 6), FIG. 7 presents adiagram of example twisted light images 700, in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The exampletwisted light images 700 can include a first subset of twisted lightimages 702 of a first twisted photon having a first number of twists, asecond subset of twisted light images 704 of a second twisted photonhaving a second number of twists, and a third subset of twisted lightimages 706 of a third twisted photon having a third number of twists.The top group of twisted light images 708 presents phase informationregarding the first twisted photon, second twisted photon, and thirdtwisted photon, respectively. The middle group of twisted light images710 presents information regarding the normalized intensity of the firsttwisted photon, second twisted photon, and third twisted photon,respectively. The bottom group of twisted light images 712 presentsother information, visualized in the form of bright fringes, regardingthe normalized intensity of the first twisted photon, second twistedphoton, and third twisted photon, respectively.

As can be observed in the example twisted light images, the thirdtwisted photon of the third subset of twisted light images 706 has ahigher number of twists than the second twisted photon of the secondsubset of twisted light images 704, and the second twisted photon has ahigher number of twists than the first twisted photon of the firstsubset of twisted light images 702. For instance, it can be observedthat the normalized intensity of the third twisted photon is higher thanthe second twisted photon, and the normalized intensity of the secondtwisted photon is higher than the first twisted photon. In that regard,it also can be observed that the third twisted photon has a highernumber of bright fringes than the second twisted photon, and the secondtwisted photon has a higher number of bright fringes than the firsttwisted photon. It is noted that, by counting the number of brightfringes, the respective topological charges of the first twisted photon,second twisted photon, and third twisted photon can be identified. Asalso can be observed in the respective twisted light images,particularly the middle group of twisted light images 710 and the bottomgroup of twisted light images 712, the respective twisted light images(e.g., the respective optical vortices) can appear like a ring of lightwith a dark hole in the center.

With further regard to FIG. 6, when the photons are entangled, the CMC608 can encode the entangled pair of photons with, or assign theentangled pair of photons, identification numbers to facilitateidentifying the respective twists or respective groups of twists, andaccordingly, respective locations of bits of data encoded on the twistedphotons, as more fully described herein. For example, the CMC 608 canencode a first entangled pair of photons with a first set ofidentification numbers (e.g., 0000000010 (2 twists) and 0000000011 (3twists)), a second entangled pair of photons with a second set ofidentification numbers (e.g., 0000011000 (24 twists) and 0000011001 (25twists)), and a third entangled pair of photons with a third set ofidentification numbers (e.g., 1000000000 (512 twists) and 1000000001(513 twists)), etc., that can respectively identify respective photontwists. The CMC 608 can generate a mapping of photons, photons twists,entangled photon partners, and identification numbers of respectivephotons or photon twists, based at least in part on the encoding of theentangled pair of photons with, or assigning of the entangled pair ofphotons, identification numbers, to facilitate mapping photons to theirrespective entangled partners, identifying photon twists and photons,encoding respective bits of data into respective groups of twists (e.g.,respective locations of the respective bits of data in a twistedphoton), and, at the decoding end, decoding and recovering respectivebits of data from respective groups of twists of an encoded twistedphoton.

In some embodiments, the twisted light generator component 618 canutilize a spiral phase mirror to generate or facilitate generatingtwisted light signals having a desired number of twists based at leastin part on light signals. In other embodiments, the twisted lightgenerator component 618 can employ another type(s) of optical device orelements to generate or facilitate generating twisted light signalsbased at least in part on light signals.

For each of respective twisted light signals of respective wavelengths,the encoder modulator component 614 can receive the twisted light signalfrom the twisted light generator component 618, can receive data (e.g.,bits of data) in the form of electrical signals (e.g., data receivedfrom a communication device of a user, a communication network device,or other type of device), and can receive a timing synchronization pulse(e.g., a timing synchronization pulse having a timing synchronizationpulse value) from the synchronization component 612. The encodermodulator component 614 can convert and/or encode the data in the formof electrical signals and the timing synchronization pulse into thetwisted light signal (e.g., into respective groups of photon twists ofrespective twisted photons of the twisted light signal) to generate anencoded twisted light signal that can represent the data and the timingsynchronization pulse in optical form. In some embodiments, the encodermodulator component 614 also can generate error correction information,which can be appended to the data and the timing synchronization pulseencoded in the twisted light signal.

The transceiver component 602 can transmit the respective encodedtwisted light signals, which can have respective wavelengths andrespective encoded data and timing synchronization pulses, via theoptical cable 610 to another device (e.g., a receiver component ofanother transceiver component), which can comprise its own CMC. Theother device can detect the twisted light signals (e.g., using adetector component), and the CMC of the other device can decode anddemodulate the received encoded twisted light signals to recover therespective data and the respective timing synchronization pulses fromthe respective encoded twisted light signals, analyze the respectivetiming synchronization pulses associated with the respective twistedlight signals having respective wavelengths, determine an errorassociated with the transmission of the encoded twisted light signals,determine a compensation action that can be performed, perform,facilitate performing, or initiate performing the compensation action,and/or communicate information relating to the analysis results, error,and/or compensation action to the CMC 608 to enable the CMC 608 todetermine the compensation action (if the other CMC did not determinethe compensation action), and/or perform, facilitate performing, orinitiate performing of the compensation action, as more fully describedherein.

Turning to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 presents a diagram of an example system 800that can squeeze or otherwise process light signals to facilitateenhanced communication of data via such light signals, in accordancewith various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Insome embodiments, a squeezer component (e.g., squeezer component 616)can comprise the system 800 and can employ the system 800 to squeeze orotherwise process light signals.

The system 800 can comprise a cell component 802 that can be or cancomprise a cell that can include a set of atoms, such as atom 804,wherein atoms of the set of atoms can be warm and/or cold atoms. Therespective atoms (e.g., atom 804) of the set of atoms can haverespective activity levels and respective paths of travel.

The system 800 can receive a light pulse 806 (e.g., light pulse of alight signal) from a light source component (not shown in FIG. 8; asmore fully described herein). The light pulse 806 can be passed (e.g.,transmitted) through the cell component 802 (e.g., in the z-direction).The atoms (e.g., atom 804) of the set of atoms can interact or interferewith the light pulse 806 based at least in part on the respective σ⁺ andσ⁻, and the associated Δ value, of the respective atoms. In someembodiments, the light pulse 806 can be a polarized coherent lightsignal (e.g., polarized coherent laser beam) under off-resonant Faradayinteractions with the atoms (e.g., atom 804) of the cell component 802.The light pulse 806 can interact with the atoms (e.g., atom 804) toproduce the first processed light pulse 808, based at least in part onthe first interference (e.g., first optical interference) of the lightpulse 806 resulting from the light pulse 806 interacting with the set ofatoms, wherein the first processed light pulse 808 can be output fromthe cell component 802 (e.g., in the z-direction).

The system 800 can comprise a first reflector component 810, which canbe positioned at a first reflector angle to reflect the first processedlight pulse 808 off the first reflector component 810, based at least inpart on the first reflector angle, such that the first processed lightpulse 808 can be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to thelight pulse 806 (e.g., the first processed light pulse 808 travel in thex-direction or substantially in the x-direction) after the firstprocessed light pulse 808 is reflected off of the first reflectorcomponent 810. It is to be appreciated and understood that, in otherembodiments, as desired, the first reflector component 810 can bepositioned at another desired first reflector angle that can reflect thefirst processed light pulse 808 at a different desired angle that is notperpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the light pulse 806.

The system 800 also can comprise a second reflector component 812 and afirst waveplate component 814. The second reflector component 812 can bein proximity to the first reflector component 810. The first waveplatecomponent 814 can be positioned or interposed between the secondreflector component 812 and the cell component 802. The second reflectorcomponent 812 can be at a second reflector angle to reflect the firstprocessed light pulse 808 off of the second reflector component 812,based at least in part on the second reflector angle, to direct thefirst processed light pulse 808 towards the first waveplate component814 and the cell component 802 at a different angle (e.g., at adifferent angle that can be in the x-z plane) than the original lightpulse 806. Such different angle between the light pulse 806 and thefirst processed light pulse 808 can be relatively small (e.g., less than10 degrees).

The first processed light pulse 808 can be passed (e.g., transmitted)through the first waveplate component 814. In some embodiments, thefirst waveplate component 814 can be a half-wave plate. Based at leastin part on the interaction of the first processed light pulse 808 withthe first waveplate component 814, the polarization of the firstprocessed light pulse 808 can be altered (e.g., modified) by the firstwaveplate component 814 to produce a second processed light pulse 816that can be output from the first waveplate component 814 towards thecell component 802.

The second processed light pulse 816 output from the first waveplatecomponent 814 can travel (e.g., can be transmitted) through the cellcomponent 802 to produce a third processed light pulse 818, based atleast in part on a second interference (e.g., second opticalinterference) from the second processed light pulse 816 interacting withatoms (e.g., atom 804) the set of atoms of the cell component 802. Forinstance, as the second processed light pulse 816 travels through thecell component 802, the second processed light pulse 816 can interactwith the atoms (e.g., atom 804) of the cell component 802 to alter thesecond processed light pulse 816 and produce the third processed lightpulse 818, based at least in part on the second interference of thesecond processed light pulse 816 resulting from the second processedlight pulse 816 interacting with the set of atoms.

The third processed light pulse 818 can be output from the cellcomponent 802 towards a third reflector component 820 of the system 800.The third reflector component 820 can be positioned at a third reflectorangle (e.g., a third angle in the x-z plane). In some embodiments, thethird processed light pulse 818 can be reflected off of the thirdreflector component 820 positioned at the third reflector angle suchthat the third processed light pulse 818 reflected off of the thirdreflector component 820 can be perpendicular or substantiallyperpendicular to the light pulse 806 (e.g., the third processed lightpulse 818 can travel in the x-direction or substantially in thex-direction). It is to be appreciated and understood that, in otherembodiments, as desired, the third reflector component 820 can bepositioned at another desired third reflector angle that can reflect thethird processed light pulse 818 at a different desired angle that is notperpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the light pulse 806.

In certain embodiments, the system 800 can comprise a fourth reflectorcomponent 822 and a second waveplate component 824. The fourth reflectorcomponent 822 can be in proximity to the third reflector component 820and can be at a fourth reflector angle (e.g., a fourth angle in the x-zplane) to reflect the third processed light pulse 818 off of the fourthreflector component 822, based at least in part on the fourth reflectorangle, to direct the third processed light pulse 818 towards the secondwaveplate component 824 and the cell component 802 at a different angle(e.g., at a different angle that can be in the x-z plane) than theoriginal light pulse 806. Such different angle between the light pulse806 and the third processed light pulse 818 can be relatively small(e.g., less than 10 degrees), and can be done, in part, for example, toenable the third reflector component 820 and fourth reflector component822 to be respectively positioned such that they do not interfere withthe initial transmission of the light pulse 806 to the cell component802.

After the third processed light pulse 818 is reflected off of the fourthreflector component 822, the third processed light pulse 818 can pass(e.g., can be transmitted) through the second waveplate component 824,which can be positioned or interposed between the fourth reflectorcomponent 822 and the cell component 802. In some embodiments, thesecond waveplate component 824 can be a half-wave plate. Based at leastin part on the interaction of the third processed light pulse 818 withthe second waveplate component 824, the polarization of the thirdprocessed light pulse 818 can be altered by the second waveplatecomponent 824 to produce a fourth processed light pulse 826 as an outputfrom the second waveplate component 824.

The fourth processed light pulse 826 output from the second waveplatecomponent 824 can be transmitted through the cell component 802. As thefourth processed light pulse travels through the cell component 802, thefourth processed light pulse 826 can interact with the atoms (e.g., atom804) of the cell component 802 to produce a fifth processed light pulse828, based at least in part on a third interference of the fourthprocessed light pulse 826 resulting from the fourth processed lightpulse 826 interacting with the atoms of the cell component 802. Thefifth processed light pulse 828 can be output from the cell component802 and from the system 800 (e.g., output from the squeezer component)at a desired angle (e.g., in the x-z plane), ϕ, relative to the originallight pulse 806, wherein the desired angle can be relatively small(e.g., less than 10 degrees, and close to 0 degrees in some embodiments)and can be an angle that is sufficient for the fifth processed lightpulse 828 to not be interfered with by the first reflector component 810as the fifth processed light pulse 828 (e.g., squeezed light signal) isoutput from the system 800 (e.g., output from the squeezer component).

The fifth processed light pulse 828 can be a desirably squeezed lightpulse that can have a reduced quantum uncertainty and reduced ASE, ascompared to the original light pulse 806, by employing the interference(e.g., the first interference, second interference, and thirdinterference) of the three atom-light interactions, which can cancelentanglement between the atoms and the output light, while maintainingthe effective nonlinear interaction between atoms. Such a quantumerasure on the light signal by the system 800 does not use detection orfeedback, can be desirably loss tolerant, and can be performed in adesirably feasible and efficient manner by the system 800, and can besuitable to enable a desired technique for two-axis twisting (TAT) spinsqueezing of light signals.

In some embodiments, to facilitate desirable activity, excitation,and/or manipulation of the atoms (e.g., 804) of the set of atoms (e.g.,warm and/or cold atoms) of the cell component 802, the system 800 caninclude an atom manipulator component 880 that can apply a desiredsignal (e.g., in the x-direction), such as an electromagnetic signal orwave, to the cell component 802, and thereby to the atoms (e.g., atom804) of the cell component 802, to activate, excite, or otherwisemanipulate the atoms of the cell component 802 to facilitate or producea desired interaction of the atoms with a particular light pulse (e.g.,light pulse 806, second processed light pulse 816, or fourth processedlight pulse 826), and desired interference from such interaction of theatoms with the particular light pulse, as the particular light pulse ispassing through the cell component 802.

The disclosed subject matter also can be utilized to enhance opticalintensity modulation direct detection (IMDD) systems. As stated, variousservices and applications can rely on fast, efficient, and reliableinformation exchange. Currently, much of this information traffic iscarried over long distances by optical fiber, which can have intrinsicadvantages, such as wide transmission bandwidth and low attenuation.However, continuing traffic growth can impose a number of significantchallenges, including with regard to development of optical transmissionsystems that can handle the increasing demand for higher data rates in afinancially feasible and cost effective manner

One approach to dealing with these challenges is to scale channelcapacity by employing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)superchannels. Unfortunately, OFDM is sensitive to synchronizationerrors, which can result in complete failure of the receiver-baseddigital signal processing. Measurement results of various OFDMsynchronization methods have revealed inherent limitations with regardto relatively poor system performance, which determines the QoS levelperceived by the end user, and complexity, which provides a significantindication that such OFDM synchronization methods may be unsuitable forimplementation.

IMDD-type systems are optical transmission systems that also can beemployed to communicate traffic. An optical transmission system caninclude, for example, an optical source, optical fiber, and opticaldetectors, along with other supporting technologies and components, suchas modulators between the optical source and the detector (e.g.,photodiode). In an optical transmission system, typically an incomingelectrical signal (e.g., data signal, such as an IP packet stream) canbe used to modulate the intensity of an optical carrier either directlyusing the optical source or indirectly via an external modulator. Themodulated optical signal can travel along the optical fiber, wherein, atthe receiver, it can be detected by the optical detector and convertedback to an electrical signal.

Some IMDD systems can be somewhat limited by relatively low transmissiondata rate (measured in bits per second), and IMDD traditionally havebeen used for communication over relatively short distances. To meetincreasing demand on modern communication networks, the transmissionrate and reach of some IMDD systems can be improved by employingcoherent OFDM (CO-OFDM) techniques. Coherent detection can be thecombination of a modulated signal with a coherent signal on the receiverside. Polarization division multiplexing can involve light (e.g.,electromagnetic waves) oscillating with more than one orientation. Forinstance, two beams of light can be launched at the same time, and ifthey have perpendicular orientation (orthogonal) (e.g., horizontal,x-axis and vertical, y-axis), the two beams can simultaneously travelthe optical fiber without interfering with each other. Providing thatthe two beams have the same wavelength, polarization divisionmultiplexing can double the data rate. Another technique that can beemployed is wave division multiplexing, which is a process wheredifferent channels can be modulated onto optical carriers at differentwavelengths, multiplexed, and launched into the optical fiber.

While CO-OFDM, polarization division multiplexing, and wave divisionmultiplexing can increase data transmission rates and the reach (e.g.,distance) of IMDD systems, such techniques can come at a cost ofincreased complexity of such systems. Additionally, performanceimpairments, such as, for example, fiber degradation of fiber opticcables, at relatively data transmission rates can significantly andnegatively impact data transmissions, as such performance impairmentscan result in undesirable fiber chromatic dispersion, undesirablepolarization mode dispersion, and/or ASE. Thus, optical communicationnetworks can have a systemic dependence on ongoing performanceassessment, testing, and/or troubleshooting.

When determining error in communication systems, including opticaltransmission systems, the bit error rate (BER) can be a significantparameter in quantifying the fidelity of data transmission. The BER canbe a ratio of bits received in error to the total number of bitsreceived. For high-speed long-haul optical transmission systems, asignificant source of bit errors can be ASE noise (e.g., ASE noiseresulting from optical amplification) and signal distortions that can beinduced by linear and non-linear fiber impairments of the fiber opticlink. An industry standard for BER can be 1e-15 BER. To meet such a BERof 1e-15 BER, forward error correction (FEC) often can be utilized.Linear dispersion typically can be due to optical dispersion, which canoccur when a light pulse is spread out during fiber transmission, whichcan interfere with neighboring pulses, and can cause transmissionerrors. Non-linear impairments can increase in significanceexponentially with an increase in the power launched into the fiber,which can effectively place a limit on achievable transmission reach.

Some coherent optical transmission systems can use digital signalprocessing (DSP) at the receiver to compensate for the fiber impairmentsin the fiber optic link. System performance measurements can be asignificant part of ensuring that the DSP algorithms can tolerate thelevel of optical impairments to which the system can be exposed.

Two useful optical measurements that typically can be performed withregard to optical transmission systems can include the opticalsignal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) measurement and the polarization modedispersion measurement. The OSNR can be the ratio of signal opticalpower to ASE noise power, and can measure the degree of impairmentbrought about by the ASE. The OSNR can be utilized to calibrate thelevel of robustness that the DSL algorithm is to have to attain thedesired target BER (e.g., 1e-15 BER). The polarization mode dispersionmeasurement can be utilized to facilitate revealing polarization modedispersion tolerance. Polar mode dispersion can arise because of thenon-circular symmetry of actual fiber of the fiber optic link that canbe brought about by, for example, external stress on the fiber opticlink as well as imperfections in the fiber optic link that can beintroduced during manufacturing of the fiber optic link.

There can be several forms of optical synchronization utilized in anoptical transmission system. For instance, one form of opticalsynchronization can be frame synchronization, which can be concernedwith estimating the correct start of each OFDM symbol in a receivedframe of a received signal. Another form of optical synchronization canbe frequency synchronization, whose functionality can be compensatingfor the carrier frequency offset (CFO) caused by the incoherence of thelight sources (e.g., lasers) at the transmitter and receiver. Stillanother form of optical synchronization can be sampling clocksynchronization, which can be concerned with estimating and compensatingfor the mismatch between the sampling clocks of the digital-to-analogconverter (DAC) in the transmitter and the analog-to-digital converter(ADC) in the receiver.

The disclosed subject matter can overcome the aforementioneddeficiencies and other deficiencies of traditional IMDD systems. Thedisclosed subject matter can enhance (e.g., improve) data transmissionrates, enhance the distance (e.g., feasible distance) of optical datatransmissions, enhance compensating for impairments in optical cables(e.g., fiber optic cables), reduce errors in optical data transmissions,and/or reduce or more efficiently utilize resources (e.g., processingresources) in IMDD systems over traditional IMDD systems.

FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram of an example enhanced optical intensitymodulation direct detection (IMDD) system 900 that can employ timingsynchronization pulses to facilitate managing communication of lightsignals and optical cables used to communicate the light signals tomitigate error associated with using optical cables to communicate lightsignals, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter. The system 900 can be an enhanced IMDD systemthat can employ CMCs, which can be or can comprise optical processorcomponents, to determine errors in transmissions of light signals,determine impairments in optical cables, and compensate for such errorsand for such impairments in optical cables.

The enhanced optical IMDD system 900 can comprise a transceivercomponent 902 (TRANCEIVER COMP. 902) that can include a transmittercomponent 904 (TX COMP.) that can transmit light signals, which can beencoded with data, via an optical cable 906 to another transceivercomponent 908 (TRANCEIVER COMP. 908), which can comprise a receivercomponent 910 (RX COMP.). The transmitter component 904 can communicatelight signals of respective wavelengths via a set of channels, includingchannel₁ 912 (Ch1), channel₂ 914 (Ch2), up through channel_(N) 916(ChN), wherein N can be any desired integer number. The transmittercomponent 904 also can include a multiplexer component 918 (MULTIPLEXER)that can receive the respective light signals from the respectivechannels (e.g., 912, 914, and/or 916, . . . ), and can multiplex orcombine the respective light signals to generate a multiplexed lightsignal, comprising the respective lights signals. The multiplexercomponent 918 can transmit the multiplexed light signal to the opticalcable 906 for transmission to the receiver component 910.

In some embodiments, one or more optical amplifier components, includingoptical amplifier component 920 (OPT. AMP.), can be associated with(e.g., connected to, or integrated with) the optical cable 906 tofacilitate amplifying the transmitted light signals (e.g., multiplexedlight signal). Amplifying the transmitted light signals can facilitatetransmitting the light signals over relatively long distances. Asdisclosed, amplifying transmitted signals also can introduce or amplify(e.g., increase) noise, such as ASE, in transmitted light signals.

At the receiving end, the receiver component 910 can comprise ademultiplexer component 922 (DEMULTIPLEXER) that can receive themultiplexed light signal from the optical cable 906. The demultiplexercomponent 922 can demultiplex the multiplexed light signal to separatethe respective light signals from the multiplexed light signal anddistribute the respective light signals to respective channels of thereceiver component 910, wherein the receiver component 110 can comprisea set of channels, including channel₁ 924 (Ch1), channel₂ 926 (Ch2), upthrough channel_(N) 928 (ChN).

For reasons of brevity and clarity, further aspects and embodiments ofthe system 900 will now be described with regard to channel₁ 912 of thetransmitter component 904 and channel₁ 924 of the receiver component910. It is to be appreciated and understood that channel₂ 914 up throughchannel_(N) 916 of the transmitter component 904 can comprise the sameor similar components and functionality as channel₁ 912 of thetransmitter component 904, and channel₂ 926 up through channel_(N) 928can comprise the same or similar components and functionality aschannel₁ 924 of the receiver component 910. Further, for reasons ofbrevity and clarity, the transceiver component 902 is described ascomprising a transmitter component 904, and the other transceivercomponent 908 is described as comprising a receiver component 910, butit is to be appreciated and understood that the transceiver component902 also can comprise a receiver component, and the other transceivercomponent 908 can comprise a transmitter component.

In accordance with various embodiments, the system 900 can employ CMCsand techniques that can mitigate and/or overcome various causesassociated with the relatively low data rate and limited reach (e.g.,limited distance) in optical transmission systems, such as IMDD-typeoptical transmission systems, for example, for modern long-haultransmission (e.g., Internet backbone) and other purposes, such asdisclosed herein. Such various causes can affect (e.g., negativelyaffect) traditional systems, such as CO-OFDM systems and traditionalIMDD technologies.

In accordance with various embodiments, the transmitter component 904can comprise or be associated with CMC 930, and the receiver component910 can comprise or be associated with CMC 932. The CMC 930 and CMC 932can be the same or similar as, and/or can comprise the same or similarfunctionality as, respective components (e.g., respectively namedcomponents), such as more fully described herein. The CMC 930 and CMC932 can operate to enhance (e.g., increase) the data rate of theenhanced optical IMDD system 900, enhance (e.g., increase) the reach ordistance of the enhanced optical IMDD system 900, determine and mitigateerror associated with transmitting light signals via the optical cable906, determine compensation actions that can be performed to mitigatethe error, and perform, or initiate or facilitate performing, thecompensation actions, to provide improved performance of the enhancedoptical IMDD system 900 over other types of IMDD systems. It is to beappreciated and understood that, while the CMC 930 is being depicted asbeing part of channel₁ 912 of the transmitter component 904, and CMC 932is being depicted as being part of channel₁ 924 of the receivercomponent 910, the disclosed subject matter is not so limited, as, inaccordance with other embodiments, the CMC 930 can extend across and beassociated with (e.g., part of or connected to) the various channels(e.g., channels 912, 914, and 916, . . . ) of the transmitter component904, and the CMC 932 can extend across and be associated with (e.g.,part of or connected to) the various channels (e.g., channels 924, 926,and 928, . . . ) of the receiver component 910.

Channel₁ 912 of the transmitter component 904 can comprise a lightsource component 934 (LSC 934) (e.g., an optical source) that cangenerate light signals (e.g., optical carriers) that can be used (e.g.,manipulated) to carry data. Channel₁ 912 of the transmitter component904 also can include a beam splitter component 936 (B SC) that can beassociated with (e.g., connected to) the light source component 934. Insome embodiments, the beam splitter component 936 can be a polarizationbeam splitter that can split or divide a light beam (e.g., light signal)into different beams of different polarization. For example, the beamsplitter component 936 can comprise birefringent materials that can beutilized to facilitate splitting the light beam into separate lightbeams of different polarization, wherein a first light beam can have anx-polarization and a second light beam can have a y-polarization. Inthis example enhanced optical IMDD system 900, the disclosed subjectmatter is being described with regard to two different polarizations,x-polarization and y-polarization, for reasons of brevity and clarity.It is to be appreciated and understood though, that the enhanced opticalIMDD system 900 can employ the beam splitter component 936 to split thelight beam into a desired number of separate light beams havingdifferent polarizations, wherein the desired number can be two orgreater than two (e.g., three, four, or five, . . . ).

Channel₁ 912 of the transmitter component 904 further can comprise afirst set of DACs 938 and a second set of DACs 940. With regard to thex-polarization side, the first set of DACs 938 can receive data in theform of an electrical signal (Electrical Signal (x-pol)) and can convertthe electrical signal (e.g., a digital signal) into an analog signalthat can represent the data in analog form. With regard to they-polarization side, the second set of DACs 940 also can receive data inthe form of an electrical signal (Electrical Signal (y-pol)) and canconvert the electrical signal (e.g., a digital signal) into an analogsignal that can represent such data in analog form.

The CMC 930 can comprise a modulator component 942 (MOD 942) (e.g.,encoder modulator component) and modulator component 944 (MOD 944)(e.g., encoder modulator component), wherein the modulator component 942can be associated with (e.g., connected to) the first set of DACs 938and the x-polarization side, and the modulator component 944 can beassociated with the second set of DACs 940 and the y-polarization side.The modulator component 942 can modulate the first (e.g.,x-polarization) light signal (e.g., first light signal as processed(e.g., squeezed and/or twisted) by the CMC 930) and encode the data(e.g., analog signal received from the first set of DACs 938) into thefirst light signal. The modulator component 944 can modulate the second(e.g., y-polarization) light signal (e.g., second light signal asprocessed (e.g., squeezed and/or twisted) by the CMC 930) and encode thedata (e.g., analog signal received from the second set of DACs 940) intothe second light signal.

Channel₁ 912 of the transmitter component 904 also can include a beamcombiner component 946 that can be associated with (e.g., connected to)the modulator component 942 and modulator component 944. In someembodiments, the beam combiner component 946 can be a polarization beamcombiner. The beam combiner component 946 can receive the first lightsignal, as modulated, encoded, and otherwise processed (e.g., squeezedand/or twisted), from the modulator component 942, and can receive thesecond light signal, as modulated, encoded, and otherwise processed(e.g., squeezed and/or twisted), from the modulator component 944. Thebeam combiner component 946 (BCC) can combine or integrate the firstlight signal and second light signal to produce a single cohesive lightsignal (e.g., light beam) that can comprise the respective data of thefirst light signal and second light signal. The beam combiner component946 can be associated with (e.g., connected to an input of themultiplexer component 918 (as can the other beam combiner components ofthe other channels (e.g., 914, 916, . . . ) be associated with themultiplexer component 918). The beam combiner component 946 cancommunicate the single cohesive light signal to the multiplexercomponent 918. The multiplexer component 918 can multiplex or combinethe respective cohesive light signals from the respective channels(e.g., 912, 914, 916, . . . ) to generate a multiplexed light signal,comprising the respective lights signals (e.g., respective cohesivelight signals). The multiplexer component 918 can provide themultiplexed light signal to the optical cable 906 for transmission ofthe multiplexed light signal, via the optical cable 906, to the receivercomponent 910.

At the receiver end, as disclosed, the demultiplexer component 922 canreceive the multiplexed light signal and can demultiplex the multiplexedlight signal to separate the respective light signals from themultiplexed light signal and distribute the respective light signals torespective channels (e.g., channels 924, 926, 928, . . . ) of thereceiver component 910. With further regard to channel₁ 924 of thereceiver component 910, channel₁ 924 can comprise a coherent receivercomponent 948 (COH. RX COMP.) that can detect the light signals that arereceived by channel₁ 924, wherein the received light signals can bemodulated light signals, comprising data associated with anx-polarization portion of the light signal and data associated with ay-polarization portion of the light signal. In some embodiments, thecoherent receiver component 948 can comprise a coherent optical detectorthat can be associated with a light source component 950 (LSC 950)(e.g., optical source), wherein the light source component 950 canprovide a coherent light signal to coherent optical detector of thecoherent receiver component 948. The coherent optical detector candetect the respective portions (e.g., x-polarization portion,y-polarization portion) of the modulated light signal based at least inpart on the modulated light signal and the coherent light signal.

In certain embodiments, the coherent receiver component 948 candemodulate and decode the x-polarization portion of the light signal torecover the data associated with the x-polarization portion of the lightsignal, and can demodulate and decode the y-polarization portion of thelight signal to recover the data associated with the y-polarizationportion of the light signal. For instance, the coherent receivercomponent 948 can convert the x-polarization portion of the light signalto an electrical signal that can comprise or represent the dataassociated with the x-polarization portion of the light signal, and canconvert the y-polarization portion of the light signal to an electricalsignal that can comprise or represent the data associated with they-polarization portion of the light signal.

Channel₁ 924 of the receiver component 910 also can include a DSPcomponent 952 (DSP-x) that can process the electrical signal associatedwith the x-polarization portion of the light signal, and a DSP component954 (DSP-y) that can process the electrical signal associated with they-polarization portion of the light signal. In some embodiments, the DSPcomponent 952 and DSP component 954 can be associated with (e.g.,connected to) the CMC 932, and, in other embodiments, the CMC 932 cancomprise the DSP component 952 and DSP component 954. In still otherembodiments, the DSP component 952 and DSP component 954 also cananalyze the respective electrical signals associated with the respectiveportions of the light signal to determine error associated with thetransmission of the light signal via the optical cable 906 andcompensating for or mitigating the error. For instance, the CMC 932 canoperate in conjunction with and/or can coordinate with the DSP component952 and DSP component 954 with regard to determining error andcompensating for or mitigating such error.

As more fully described herein, the CMC 932 and/or CMC 930 can performenhanced analysis (as compared to the DSP component 952 and DSPcomponent 954) on the respective portions of the light signal todetermine the error associated with the transmission of the light signalvia the optical cable 906 and compensate for or mitigate the error. Forinstance, the CMC 932 and/or CMC 930 can determine a compensation actionthat can reduce polarization mode dispersion in light signalstransmitted via the optical cable 906, as more fully described herein.Further, as disclosed herein, the CMC 930 (and/or CMC 932) can reduceASE (e.g., by squeezing light signals and/or by performing or initiatingperformance of a compensation action) and other negative impacts ontransmissions of light signals via the optical cable 906. By performingsuch enhanced analysis on light signals, determining error associatedwith transmissions of light signals via the optical cable, determiningand implementing compensation actions to mitigate such error, reducingASE, reducing polarization mode dispersion, and/or mitigating othernegative impacts in transmissions of light signals via the optical cable906, the CMC 930 and/or CMC 932 can reduce reliance on the DSP component952 and DSP component 954, and the associated DSP algorithm, to performanalysis on the respective electrical signals associated with therespective portions of the light signals to determine and compensate forerror in light signal transmissions and/or can reduce power utilization,which can be beneficial as the signal power can be directly related toASE. That is, reduced signal power can result in reduced ASE, which canresult in less error and improved (e.g., longer or increased)transmission distances that can be attainable by the enhanced opticalIMDD system 900.

In contrast to DSP components (e.g., DSP components of traditional IMDDsystems, the CMC 930 and CMC 932 does not have to depend on adigital-to-analog translation of a light signal and information thereinin order to examine the error per bit in the light signal or determinethe logical understanding of which frames or frequencies of a lightsignals have drifted or become corrupted due to impairments in orassociated with the optical cable 906. As disclosed herein, the CMC 930and CMC 932 each can be or can comprise an optical signal processor,wherein such optical signal processor can be completely transparent andcan be free from dependence on the DSP components 952 and 954 to processlight signals, including in-flight metadata (e.g., timingsynchronization pulses or other metadata) in the light signals.

With further regard to the processing (e.g., embedding timingsynchronization pulses; squeezing and/or twisting) of light signals bythe CMC 930, in some embodiments, the CMC 930 can process or at leastpartially process (e.g., squeeze and/or twist) a light signal emittedfrom the light source component 934 prior to the light signal beingsplit by the beam splitter component 936. In other embodiments, the CMC930 can process (e.g., squeeze and/or twist, and/or embed timingsynchronization pulses in) the first and second light signals after thelight signal has been split by the beam splitter component 936 toproduce the first and second light signals.

For instance, the CMC 930 can embed, incorporate, or encode respectivetiming synchronization pulses in the first and second light signals indesired locations (e.g., time locations), as more fully describedherein. For instance, the CMC 930 can include synchronization component(e.g., synchronization component 212; not shown in FIG. 9) that cangenerate respective timing synchronization pulses for the first andsecond light signals and can embed or facilitate incorporating therespective timing synchronization pulses in the first and second lightsignals. For example, the modulator components 942 and 944 can encodethe respective timing synchronization pulses in the first and secondlight signals in connection with encoding the respective data in thefirst and second light signals. In some embodiments, such embedding,incorporation, or encoding of the respective timing synchronizationpulses can be performed after the CMC 930 has squeezed and/or twistedthe light signal from the light source component 934, or squeezed and/ortwisted the first and second light signals after the light signal hasbeen split by the beam splitter component 936.

As more fully described herein, the CMC 930 can process or squeeze lightsignals (e.g., light signal from the light source component 934, or thefirst and second light signals produced by splitting such light signal)that are to be transmitted (e.g., after further processing (e.g.,encoding, modulating, and/or multiplexing, . . . ) from the transmittercomponent 904 via the optical cable 906 to reduce ASE, including ASEproduced by or associated with the optical amplifier component 920, inthe light signals. For instance, the CMC 930 can employ a squeezercomponent (e.g., squeezer component 216; not shown in FIG. 9, forreasons of brevity and clarity) to squeeze a light signal to generate asqueezed light signal that can reduce ASE and reduce quantum uncertaintyin the light signal, wherein the squeezed light signal (e.g., afterfurther processing) can be transmitted via the optical cable 906 to thereceiver component 910. Such squeezing of light signals can mitigatenoise that otherwise can be incurred after amplification of the lightsignals by the optical amplifier component 920. The CMC 930, byprocessing or squeezing light signals to lower the ASE associated withthe light signals, can increase the reach of the enhanced optical IMDDsystem 900 (e.g., can increase the feasible or effective distance thatsuch squeezed light signal can be transmitted (e.g., usably transmitted)via an optical cable 906) over other types of IMDD systems.

As more fully described herein, the CMC 930 also can process or twistlight signals (e.g., light signal from the light source component 934,or the first and second light signals produced by splitting such lightsignal) that are to be transmitted (e.g., after further processing(e.g., encoding, modulating, and/or multiplexing, . . . ) from thetransmitter component 904 via the optical cable 906 to the receivercomponent 910. For instance, the CMC 930 can employ a twisted lightgenerator component (e.g., twisted light generator component 218; notshown in FIG. 9, for reasons of brevity and clarity) that can twistphotons of the light signal (e.g., a squeezed light signal, or a lightsignal that has not been squeezed) to generate a twisted light signalthat can have twisted photons that can have a desired number of twists.The higher the number of twists of the twisted photons of the twistedlight signal, the more bits of data that can be encoded into the twistedlight signal, as more fully described herein. By twisting the lightsignal, and encoding more bits of data into the twisted light signalthan can be encoded into an ordinary, untwisted light signal, the CMC930 can encode additional bits of data on each light pulse (e.g., eachtwisted photon) of the twisted light signal without having to utilize(e.g., consume) bandwidth. Accordingly, the transmitter component 904 ofthe enhanced optical IMDD system 900, by employing the CMC 930, cansignificantly increase the data bit rate of transmissions of lightsignals (e.g., twisted light signals encoded with data) via the opticalcable 906 to the receiver component 910 or other destinations. As aresult, the enhanced optical IMDD system 900 can provide for an enhanced(e.g., increased) data bit rate (e.g., can transmit data at asignificantly higher bit rate), as compared to the relatively lower databit rates of other types of IMDD system.

By utilizing twisted light in connection with the disclosedsynchronization schemes, the CMC 930 also can provide furtherenhancements in the transmission of light signals (e.g., twisted lightsignals encoded with data) via the optical cable 906. For instance, theCMC 930 can place (e.g., insert) respective markers (e.g., timingsynchronization pulses, metadata, or codes) on respective frames orfrequencies of light signals that can be used in multiplexing the lightsignals (e.g., by the multiplexer component 918). Having dynamicencoding of these quantities (e.g., markers) can allow the CMC 930 andCMC 932 (at the receiving end) to perform micro-optimizations (e.g.,desirably focused compensation actions) for any portion of the opticalcable 906 (e.g., any portion of the optical fiber of the optical fibercable), regardless of DSP computations (e.g., DSP computations performedby the receiver component 910). For example, the CMC 930 or CMC 932 canutilize the markers to re-modulate frequencies (e.g., change frequenciesor wavelengths utilized for transmission of light signals via theoptical cable 906) to a less disperse state. For instance, as more fullydescribed herein (e.g., with regard to analyzing timing synchronizationcodes in light signals), based at least in part on the results ofanalyzing the markers (e.g., timing synchronization pulses, metadata, orcodes) in light signals of different frequencies received by thereceiver component 910 from the optical cable 906, the CMC 932 or CMC930 can determine that certain frequencies can have a higher amount ofdispersion (e.g., polarization mode dispersion) than other frequencieswhen the light signals are transmitted via the optical cable (e.g., dueto impairment, degradation, or damage to the optical cable 906, orportion thereof). The CMC 932 or CMC 930 can determine a compensationaction, such as, re-modulating frequencies to utilize the otherfrequencies that can be associated with a lower dispersion rate, and canutilize such other frequencies for light signals when transmittinglights signals via the optical cable 906 to achieve a desirably loweramount of dispersion.

As another example, based at least in part on the results of analyzingthe markers (e.g., timing synchronization pulses, metadata, or codes) inlight signals of different frequencies or wavelengths received by thereceiver component 910 from the optical cable 906, the CMC 932 or CMC930 can learn or determine characteristics associated with a particularportion of the optical cable 906, as more fully described herein. Forinstance, if the CMC 932 or CMC 930 determines that the particularportion of the optical cable 906 is degraded or impaired, which isnegatively affecting transmission of light signals in that particularportion of the optical cable 906, the CMC 932 or CMC 930 can determine acompensation action to compensate for or mitigate such error and/orproblems associated with that particular portion of the optical cable906. For example, the compensation action can be to expand the distancebetween frames of the light signal (e.g., the multiplexed light signal)when such frames of the light signal are at or in proximity to theparticular portion of the optical cable 906 to slow down (e.g., todynamically slow down) the rate of traffic when such traffic isapproaching the particular portion of the optical cable 906, and/or thecompensation action can be to route the light signal, or a portionthereof (e.g., some of the frames of the light signal), via a differentroute (e.g., a different optical cable) to the receiver component 910 toavoid the particular portion of the optical cable 906 and/or to reducetraffic in the particular portion of the optical cable 906. As anotherexample, if, based at least in part on the analysis results, the CMC 932or CMC 930 determines that a certain portion of the optical cable 906 isperforming well, the CMC 932 or CMC 930 can determine that the distancebetween frames of the light signal can be decreased in the certainportion of the optical cable 906, which can increase the datatransmission rate (e.g., increase bandwidth) at least in that certainportion of the optical cable 906.

In some embodiments, the techniques employed by the CMC 932 and CMC 930can enable sampling clock synchronization (e.g., by the transmittercomponent 904) to be decoupled from send-receive processing limitations(e.g., locations of the DSP locations). For instance, with regard to thetransceiver component 908, the DSP components 952 and 954 can be focusedon the demultiplexing from the x and y components (e.g., x-polarizationportion of the light signal, y-polarization portion of the light signal)back to the light pulse. Time synchronization can be a mode selectionthat can be included in the settings. The settings and associated modeselections can comprise, for example, a no time synchronization setting,which can be used to select a no time synchronization mode, wherein theno time synchronization setting can indicate that no timesynchronization is being employed with respect to the light signal; atime synchronization setting, which can be used to select a timesynchronization mode, wherein the time synchronization setting canindicate that time synchronization is being employed with respect to thelight signal; a twisted encoding setting, which can be used to select atwisted encoding mode, wherein the twisted encoding setting can indicatethat an encoded twisted light signal is being utilized with respect tothe light signal; and/or a non-twisted light signal encoding setting,which can be used to select a non-twisted light signal encoding mode,wherein that can indicate that an encoded non-twisted light signal isbeing employed with respect to the light signal. To facilitatedecoupling the sampling clock synchronization from the send-receiveprocessing limitations (e.g., locations of the DSP locations), the CMC930 of or associated with the transmitter component 904 can embed orencode the desired setting (e.g., no time synchronization, timesynchronization, twisted encoding, or non-twisted encoding, etc.) in thelight pulse being sent from the transmitter component 904, wherein thelight pulse can carry the desired setting that can indicate the desiredassociated mode. The CMC 932 associated with the receiver component 910can receive the light signal, and can identify the setting (e.g., notime synchronization, time synchronization, twisted encoding, ornon-twisted encoding, etc.) and associated mode in the light pulse thatcarries the setting information. As indicated, in some embodiments, theCMC 930 can utilize twisted light (e.g., can twist light signals toproduce twisted light), wherein the CMC 930 can embed or encode thedesired setting in the twisted light signal along with the bits of datathat can be encoded in the twisted light signal.

In other embodiments, to facilitate decoupling the sampling clocksynchronization from the send-receive processing limitations, the CMC932, CMC 930, or another component(s) can set desired rules on specifictransistors of the transceiver component 908 and/or transceivercomponent 902, wherein such rules can enable the transceiver component908 and/or transceiver component 902 to be managed independently from amaster controller of the transceiver component 908 and/or transceivercomponent 902. In certain embodiments, the setting of the rules forthose specific transistors can be a desired software-defined strategy tofacilitate managing the transceiver component 908 and/or transceivercomponent 902 independently from the master controller. As desired, suchtechniques of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented withouthaving to deviate from a desired software-defined network (SDN) workflow that can be utilized for the transceiver components 908 and 902.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an example CMC 1000, inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter. The CMC 1000 can comprise a communicator component 1002, aninterface component 1004, an operations manager component 1006, asqueezer component 1008, a twisted light generator component 1010, asynchronization component 1012, an encoder modulator component 1014, adetector component 1016, a decoder demodulator component 1018, acharacteristics identifier component 1020, a processor component 1022,and a data store 1024. The squeezer component 1008, twisted lightgenerator component 1010, synchronization component 1012, encodermodulator component 1014, detector component 1016, decoder demodulatorcomponent 1018, and characteristics identifier component 1020 each canrespectively be the same as or similar to, and/or can comprise the sameor similar functionality as, respective components (e.g., respectivelynamed components), as more fully described herein.

The communicator component 1002 can transmit information from the CMC1000 to another component(s) or device(s) (e.g., another CMC, an opticalcable, a communication device, a network component or device, . . . )and/or can receive information from the other component(s), ordevice(s). For instance, the communicator component 1002 can receivedata (e.g., analog or digital data in the form of electrical signals)from a data source (e.g., a communication device, a network device, . .. ) for processing and transmission of the data to another device (e.g.,a transceiver component or other communication device). In someembodiments, the CMC 1000 can be associated with a transceivercomponent, wherein the communicator component 1002 can receiveinformation relating to analysis results from analysis of light signals(e.g., performed by a CMC at the receiving end) transmitted by thetransceiver component, an error associated with the transmission of thelight signals by the transceiver component, and/or a compensation actionthat can be performed to mitigate the error, as more fully describedherein. In other embodiments, the CMC 1000 can be associated with atransceiver component at the receiver end (e.g., a transceiver componentthat received the light signals), wherein the communicator component1002 can transmit information relating to analysis results from analysisof light signals transmitted by the sending transceiver component, anerror associated with the transmission of the light signals by thesending transceiver component, and/or a compensation action that can beperformed to mitigate the error, as more fully described herein.

The interface component 1004 can comprise one or more interfaces,including optical interfaces, that can interface the CMC 1000 with alight source component to enable the CMC 1000 to receive light signalsfrom the light source component and can interface the CMC 1000 with anoptical cable (e.g., a fiber optic cable) to enable the CMC 1000 totransmit or output processed light signals (e.g., encoded and/or twistedlight signals, comprising bits of data and timing synchronizationpulses) to the optical cable. The interface component 1004 also cancomprise one or more interfaces that can enable the CMC 1000 to receivedata (e.g., data in the form of electrical signals) from a user, adevice (e.g., a communication device, a network device, . . . ), oranother data source, or present (e.g., communicate, display, emit, . . .) data to the user or a device.

The operations manager component 1006 can control (e g , manage)operations associated with the CMC 1000. For example, the operationsmanager component 1006 can facilitate generating instructions to havecomponents of the CMC 1000 perform operations, and can communicaterespective instructions to respective components (e.g., communicatorcomponent 1002, interface component 1004, squeezer component 1008,twisted light generator component 1010, synchronization component 1012,. . . , processor component 1022, and/or data store 1024, . . . ) of theCMC 1000 to facilitate performance of operations by the respectivecomponents of the CMC 1000 based at least in part on the instructions,in accordance with defined communication management criteria, definedtiming synchronization criteria, and associated communication managementalgorithm(s) or timing synchronization algorithm(s) (e.g., communicationmanagement algorithm(s) or timing synchronization algorithm(s) asdisclosed, defined, recited, or indicated herein by the methods,systems, and techniques described herein). The operations managercomponent 1006 also can facilitate controlling data flow between therespective components of the CMC 1000 and controlling data flow betweenthe CMC 1000 and another component(s) or device(s) (e.g., another CMC, acommunication device, a network device, an optical cable, . . . )associated with (e.g., connected to) the CMC 1000.

The processor component 1022 can work in conjunction with the othercomponents (e.g., communicator component 1002, interface component 1004,operations manager component 1006, squeezer component 1008, twistedlight generator component 1010, synchronization component 1012, . . . ,processor component 1022, and/or data store 1024, . . . ) to facilitateperforming the various functions of the CMC 1000. The processorcomponent 1022 can employ one or more processors, microprocessors, orcontrollers that can process data, such as information relating to lightsignals, data, squeezing light signals, twisting light signals, timingsynchronization pulses, encoding or modulating information (e.g.,encoding or modulating information into light signals), detecting lightsignals, decoding or demodulating information (e.g., decoding ordemodulating information contained in encoded or modulated lightsignals), characteristics associated with light signals or opticalcables, errors associated with transmission of light signals,compensation actions, parameters, traffic flows, policies, definedcommunication management criteria, defined timing synchronizationcriteria, algorithms (e.g., communication management algorithm(s),timing synchronization algorithm(s)), protocols, interfaces, tools,and/or other information, to facilitate operation of the CMC 1000, asmore fully disclosed herein, and control data flow between the CMC 1000and other components (e.g., other CMCs, light source components,communication devices, network devices, data sources, applications, . .. ) associated with the CMC 1000.

The data store 1024 can store data structures (e.g., user data,metadata), code structure(s) (e.g., modules, objects, hashes, classes,procedures) or instructions, information relating to light signals,data, squeezing light signals, twisting light signals, timingsynchronization pulses, encoding or modulating information (e.g.,encoding or modulating information into light signals), detecting lightsignals, decoding or demodulating information (e.g., decoding ordemodulating information contained in encoded or modulated lightsignals), characteristics associated with light signals or opticalcables, errors associated with transmission of light signals,compensation actions, parameters, traffic flows, policies, definedcommunication management criteria, defined timing synchronizationcriteria, algorithms (e.g., communication management algorithm(s),timing synchronization algorithm(s)), protocols, interfaces, tools,and/or other information, to facilitate controlling operationsassociated with the CMC 1000. In an aspect, the processor component 1022can be functionally coupled (e.g., through a memory bus) to the datastore 1024 in order to store and retrieve information desired to operateand/or confer functionality, at least in part, to the communicatorcomponent 1002, interface component 1004, operations manager component1006, squeezer component 1008, twisted light generator component 1010,synchronization component 1012, encoder modulator component 1014,detector component 1016, decoder demodulator component 1018, andcharacteristics identifier component 1020, processor component 1022,and/or data store 1024, etc., and/or substantially any other operationalaspects of the CMC 1000.

The aforementioned systems and/or devices have been described withrespect to interaction between several components. It should beappreciated that such systems and components can include thosecomponents or sub-components specified therein, some of the specifiedcomponents or sub-components, and/or additional components.Sub-components could also be implemented as components communicativelycoupled to other components rather than included within parentcomponents. Further yet, one or more components and/or sub-componentsmay be combined into a single component providing aggregatefunctionality. The components may also interact with one or more othercomponents not specifically described herein for the sake of brevity,but known by those of skill in the art.

In view of the example systems and/or devices described herein, examplemethods that can be implemented in accordance with the disclosed subjectmatter can be further appreciated with reference to flowcharts in FIGS.11-14. For purposes of simplicity of explanation, example methodsdisclosed herein are presented and described as a series of acts;however, it is to be understood and appreciated that the disclosedsubject matter is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts mayoccur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts from thatshown and described herein. For example, a method disclosed herein couldalternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states orevents, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, interaction diagram(s) mayrepresent methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter whendisparate entities enact disparate portions of the methods. Furthermore,not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a method inaccordance with the subject specification. It should be furtherappreciated that the methods disclosed throughout the subjectspecification are capable of being stored on an article of manufactureto facilitate transporting and transferring such methods to computersfor execution by a processor or for storage in a memory.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 1100 that cancompensate for (e.g., reduce or minimize) an error in the transmissionof light signals via an optical cable, in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The method 1100can be employed by, for example, a system comprising a CMC, a processorcomponent (e.g., of or associated with the CMC), and/or a data store(e.g., of or associated with the CMC). In accordance with variousembodiments, the CMC can be located at and/or associated with (e.g.,part of or communicatively connected to) a receiver component (e.g., ofa transceiver component) that can receive light signals via an opticalcable, a transmitter component (e.g., of another transceiver component),which can send the light signals, or both the receiver component andtransmitter component.

At 1102, a first light signal, comprising a first wavelength and a firstsynchronization pulse, and a second light signal, comprising a secondwavelength and a second synchronization pulse, can be compared, whereinthe first light signal and second light signal can be received via anoptical cable. The first light signal and second light signal can bereceived at a receiver component associated with the optical cable(e.g., optical link, such as a fiber optic link). The first light signaland second light signal each can include respective information (e.g.,encoded data), in addition to having respective synchronization pulses.The CMC can analyze the first light signal and second light signal,including analyzing the first synchronization pulse, secondsynchronization pulse, first wavelength, second wavelength, first lightintensity or power, and/or second light intensity or power, etc.

At 1104, based at least in part on a result of the comparing of thefirst light signal and second light signal, a compensation action can bedetermined, wherein the compensation action can be utilized, forsubsequent light signal transmissions, to reduce an amount of errordetermined to have occurred during the transmission of the first lightsignal and the second light signal via the optical cable. Based at leastin part on a result of the comparing, the CMC can determine a desirablecompensation action that can be utilized, for example, during subsequentlight signal transmissions, to reduce the amount of error that wasdetermined to have occurred during the transmission of the first lightsignal and the second light signal via the optical cable. Thecompensation action can comprise, for example, suspending one or morefrequencies from encoding during a subsequent transmission of lightsignals via the optical cable, initiate a replacement, repair, ormaintenance of a portion of the optical cable, adjust a transmissionrate of the subsequent transmission of light signals, and/or adjust aroute of the subsequent transmission of light signals, as more fullydescribed herein.

For example, based at least in part on the results of the comparingand/or other analysis of the light signals, the CMC can determine thatlight signals at certain frequencies or wavelengths can be undesirably(e.g., negatively) affected when transmitted via the optical cable(e.g., due to damage or other issues affecting the performance of theoptical cable). Accordingly, the CMC can determine a compensation actionthat suspends those certain frequencies or wavelengths from encoding oflight signals during a subsequent transmission of light signals via theoptical cable. When encoding light signals with information, the CMC oranother component (e.g., encoder component) can utilize other lightfrequencies or wavelengths for encoding of the information, whereinthose encoded light signals, having the other frequencies orwavelengths, can be desirably transmitted via the optical cable with asignificantly lower amount of error than if the suspended frequencies orwavelengths been used for the light signals during encoding.

FIG. 12 presents a flow chart of another example method 1200 that cancompensate for an error in the transmission of light signals via anoptical cable, in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter. The method 1200 can be employed by, forexample, a system comprising a CMC, a processor component (e.g., of orassociated with the CMC), and/or a data store (e.g., of or associatedwith the CMC). In accordance with various embodiments, the CMC can belocated at and/or associated with (e.g., part of or communicativelyconnected to) a receiver component (e.g., of a transceiver component)that can receive light signals via an optical cable, a transmittercomponent (e.g., of another transceiver component), which can send thelight signals, or both the receiver component and transmitter component.

At 1202, a first light signal, comprising a first wavelength and a firsttiming synchronization pulse, and a second light signal, comprising asecond wavelength and a second timing synchronization pulse, can bereceived via an optical cable. A CMC (e.g., a CMC at the receivercomponent) can receive the first light signal and the second lightsignal from the optical cable.

At 1204, the first light signal and the second light signal can beanalyzed. The CMC can analyze the first light signal and the secondlight signal to facilitate determining respective times of arrival ofthe respective light signals and other respective characteristicsassociated with the respective light signals.

At 1206, a first group of characteristics associated with the firstlight signal and a second group of characteristics associated with thesecond light signal can be determined based at least in part on theresults of analyzing the first light signal and the second light signal.The CMC can determine the first group of characteristics associated withthe first light signal and the second group of characteristicsassociated with the second light signal based at least in part on theresults of analyzing the first and second light signals.

For instance, the CMC can determine the first group of characteristicscomprising the time or location of the first timing synchronizationpulse with respect to the first light signal, the first time of arrivalof the first timing synchronization pulse, the first wavelength of thefirst light signal, the intensity level or power level of the firstlight signal as received by the receiver component, and/or othercharacteristics associated with the first light signal based at least inpart on the results of the analyzing of the first light signal. The CMCalso can determine the second group of characteristics comprising thetime or location of the second timing synchronization pulse with respectto the second light signal, the second time of arrival of the secondtiming synchronization pulse, the second wavelength of the second lightsignal, the intensity level or power level of the second light signal asreceived by the receiver component, and/or other characteristicsassociated with the second light signal based at least in part on theresults of the analyzing of the second light signal.

At 1208, a third group of characteristics associated with the opticalcable can be determined based at least in part on the first group ofcharacteristics associated with the first light signal and the secondgroup of characteristics associated with the second light signal. Aspart of the analysis of the first and second light signals, the CMC candetermine the third group of characteristics associated with the opticalcable based at least in part on the first group of characteristics andthe second group of characteristics. For instance, the CMC can comparethe first group of characteristics and the second group ofcharacteristics to each other (e.g., can compare respectivecharacteristics of the first group of characteristics to respectivecharacteristics of the second group of characteristics; and/or cancompare the intersection(s) of multiple characteristics of the firstgroup of characteristics and multiple characteristics of the secondgroup of characteristics). Based at least in part on the results of suchcomparison, the CMC can determine the third group of characteristicsassociated with the optical cable.

For example, the CMC can determine the third group of characteristicsassociated with the optical cable, wherein the third group ofcharacteristics can indicate frequencies or wavelengths associated withthe optical cable that are determined by the CMC to be undesirable(e.g., unsuitable) for transmission of light signals having suchfrequencies or wavelengths because transmitting light signals using suchfrequencies or wavelengths can result in an undesirable amount of errorin the transmission of such light signals via the optical cable. Asanother example, additionally or alternatively, the CMC can determine acharacteristic associated with the optical cable that indicates acertain portion of the optical cable has been damaged, worn, orotherwise impacted (e.g., negatively impacted), wherein such damage,wear, or other impact can result in an undesirable amount of error inthe transmission of such light signals via the certain portion of theoptical cable.

At 1210, a compensation action can be determined, based at least in parton the first group of characteristics associated with the first lightsignal, the second group of characteristics associated with the secondlight signal, and/or the third group of characteristics associated withthe optical cable, to reduce the amount of error associated withtransmitting light signals. The CMC can determine the amount of errorassociated with transmitting light signals via the optical cable basedat least in part on the first group of characteristics, the second groupof characteristics, and/or the third group of characteristics. The CMCalso can determine a compensation action that can be performed to reducethe amount of error associated with transmitting light signals based atleast in part on the first group of characteristics, the second group ofcharacteristics, and/or the third group of characteristics. Thecompensation action (e.g., determined by the CMC) can comprise, forexample, suspending one or more frequencies from encoding during asubsequent transmission of light signals via the optical cable, initiatea replacement, repair, or maintenance of a portion of the optical cable,adjust a transmission rate of the subsequent transmission of lightsignals (e.g., via the optical cable, or via one or more opticalcables), and/or adjust a route of the subsequent transmission of lightsignals (e.g., via the optical cable, or via one or more optical cables,which can include or not include the optical cable, or portion thereof),as more fully described herein.

At 1212, the compensation action can be implemented to facilitatereducing error associated with transmitting light signals. The CMC canimplement or facilitate implementing the compensation action tofacilitate reducing the amount of error associated with transmittinglight signals. For example, the CMC can suspend or facilitate suspendingone or more frequencies from encoding during a subsequent transmissionof light signals via the optical cable. As another example, the CMC cancommunicate a recommendation or instruction to initiate the replacement,repair, or maintenance of a portion of the optical cable that isdetermined (e.g., by the CMC) to be damaged, worn, or otherwiseundesirably impacted and determined to be contributing to the errorassociated with the transmission of the light signals (e.g., first andsecond light signals) via the optical cable.

FIGS. 13A and 13B depict a flow chart of an example method 1300 that cansqueeze lights signals using an optical interference-based technique togenerate lights signals that can have a reduced quantum uncertainty, inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter. The method 1300 can be employed by, for example, a systemcomprising a CMC, a processor component (e.g., of or associated with theCMC), and/or a data store (e.g., of or associated with the CMC). In someembodiments, the CMC can be located at and/or associated with (e.g.,part of or communicatively connected to) a transmitter component (e.g.,of a transceiver component) that can send light signals to a receivercomponent (e.g., of another transceiver component) via an optical cable.

At 1302, a light pulse of a light signal can be transmitted through acell component comprising a set of atoms to produce a first processedlight pulse, based at least in part on a first interference from thelight pulse interacting with the set of atoms. The CMC can comprise asqueezer component that can transmit the light pulse, which can beproduced and emitted by a light source component of or associated withthe CMC. The squeezer component can transmit the light pulse through thecell component of the squeezer component, wherein the cell component cancomprise a set of atoms, such as warm and/or cold atoms. An atom of theset of atoms can interact or interfere with the light pulse based atleast in part on the respective σ⁺ and σ⁻, and the associated Δ value,of the atom. In some embodiments, the light signal can be a polarizedcoherent light signal (e.g., polarized coherent laser beam) underoff-resonant Faraday interactions with the atoms (e.g., warm or coldatoms) of the cell component. The light pulse can interact with theatoms of the cell component to produce the first processed light pulse,based at least in part on the first interference (e.g., first opticalinterference) of the light pulse resulting from the light pulseinteracting with the set of atoms, wherein the first processed lightpulse can be output from the cell component.

At 1304, the first processed light pulse can be reflected off of a firstreflector component positioned at a first reflector angle such that thefirst processed light pulse reflected off of the first reflectorcomponent can be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to thelight pulse. The squeezer component can comprise the first reflectorcomponent, which can be positioned at the first reflector angle toreflect the first processed light pulse off the first reflectorcomponent, based at least in part on the first reflector angle, suchthat the first processed light pulse can be perpendicular orsubstantially perpendicular to the light pulse. It is to be appreciatedand understood that, in other embodiments, as desired, the firstreflector component can be positioned at another desired first reflectorangle that can reflect the first processed light pulse at a differentdesired angle that is not perpendicular or substantially perpendicularto the light pulse.

At 1306, the first processed light pulse can be reflected off of asecond reflector component that can be in proximity to the firstreflector component and can be at a second reflector angle to direct thefirst processed light pulse towards a first waveplate component and thecell component at a different angle than the original light pulse. Thesqueezer component can comprise a second reflector component that can bein proximity to the first reflector component and can be at the secondreflector angle to reflect the first processed light pulse off thesecond reflector component, based at least in part on the secondreflector angle, to direct the first processed light pulse towards thefirst waveplate component of the squeezer component and the cellcomponent at a different angle than the original light pulse. Suchdifferent angle between the light pulse and the first processed lightpulse can be relatively small (e.g., less than 10 degrees).

At 1308, the first processed light pulse can be processed to alter apolarization of the first processed light pulse, based at least in parton interaction of the first processed light pulse with the firstwaveplate component, to produce a second processed light pulse. Thefirst processed light pulse can be passed through the first waveplatecomponent. In some embodiments, the first waveplate component can be ahalf-wave plate. Based at least in part on the interaction of the firstprocessed light pulse with the first waveplate component, thepolarization of the first processed light pulse can be altered by thefirst waveplate component to produce the second processed light pulse.

At 1310, the second processed light pulse can be transmitted through thecell component to produce a third processed light pulse, based at leastin part on a second interference from the second processed light pulseinteracting with the set of atoms of the cell component. The secondprocessed light pulse output from the first waveplate component can betransmitted through the cell component to produce the third processedlight pulse, based at least in part on a second interference (e.g.,second optical interference) from the second processed light pulseinteracting with the set of atoms of the cell component. As the secondprocessed light pulse passes through the cell component, the secondprocessed light pulse can interact with the atoms of the cell componentto produce the third processed light pulse, based at least in part onthe second interference of the second processed light pulse resultingfrom the second processed light pulse interacting with the set of atoms.The third processed light pulse can be output from the cell componenttowards a third reflector component of the squeezer component.

At this point, the method 1300 can proceed to reference point A,wherein, as depicted in FIG. 13B, the method 1300 can proceed fromreference point A.

At 1312, the third processed light pulse can be reflected off of thethird reflector component positioned at a third reflector angle suchthat the third processed light pulse reflected off of the thirdreflector component can be perpendicular or substantially perpendicularto the light pulse. It is to be appreciated and understood that, inother embodiments, as desired, the third reflector component can bepositioned at another desired third reflector angle that can reflect thethird processed light pulse at a different desired angle that is notperpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the light pulse.

At 1314, the third processed light pulse can be reflected off of afourth reflector component that can be in proximity to the thirdreflector component and can be at a fourth reflector angle to direct thethird processed light pulse towards a second waveplate component and thecell component at a different angle than the original light pulse. Thesqueezer component can comprise the fourth reflector component, whichcan be in proximity to the third reflector component and can be at thefourth reflector angle to reflect the third processed light pulse offthe fourth reflector component, based at least in part on the fourthreflector angle, to direct the third processed light pulse towards thesecond waveplate component of the squeezer component and the cellcomponent at a different angle than the original light pulse. Suchdifferent angle between the light pulse and the third processed lightpulse can be relatively small (e.g., less than 10 degrees), and can bedone, in part, for example, to enable the third reflector component andfourth reflector component to be respectively positioned such that theydo not interfere with the initial transmission of the light pulse to thecell component.

At 1316, the third processed light pulse can be processed to alter apolarization of the third processed light pulse, based at least in parton interaction of the third processed light pulse with the secondwaveplate component, to produce a fourth processed light pulse. Thethird processed light pulse can be passed through the second waveplatecomponent. In some embodiments, the second waveplate component can be ahalf-wave plate. Based at least in part on the interaction of the thirdprocessed light pulse with the second waveplate component, thepolarization of the third processed light pulse can be altered by thesecond waveplate component to produce the fourth processed light pulse.

At 1318, the fourth processed light pulse can be transmitted through thecell component to produce a fifth processed light pulse, based at leastin part on a third interference from the fourth processed light pulseinteracting with the set of atoms of the cell component. The fourthprocessed light pulse output from the second waveplate component can betransmitted through the cell component to produce the fifth processedlight pulse, based at least in part on the third interference (e.g.,third optical interference) resulting from the fourth processed lightpulse interacting with the set of atoms of the cell component. As thefourth processed light pulse passes through the cell component, thefourth processed light pulse can interact with the atoms of the cellcomponent to produce the fifth processed light pulse, based at least inpart on the third interference of the fourth processed light pulseresulting from the fourth processed light pulse interacting with theatoms.

At 1320, the fifth processed light pulse can be transmitted as an outputfrom the cell component and the squeezer component at a desired angle,ϕ, relative to the original light pulse, wherein the desired angle canbe relatively small (e.g., less than 10 degrees, and close to 0 degreesin some embodiments) and can be an angle that is sufficient for thefifth processed light pulse to not be interfered with by the firstreflector component as the fifth processed light pulse (e.g., squeezedlight signal) is output from the squeezer component.

The method 1300 can desirably reduce quantum uncertainty for the outputlight signal (e.g., output light pulse), as compared to the originallight signal (e.g., original light pulse) by employing the interference(e.g., the first interference, second interference, and thirdinterference) of the three atom-light interactions, which can cancelentanglement between the atoms and the output light, while maintainingthe effective nonlinear interaction between atoms.

In some embodiments, the method 1300 can proceed to reference point B,wherein the method 1400 can proceed from reference point B to furtherprocess the output light pulse (e.g., the fifth processed light pulse,which can be a squeezed light signal) from the squeezer component togenerate a twisted light signal.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 1400 that cangenerate encoded twisted lights signals, in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The method 1400can be employed by, for example, a system comprising a CMC, a processorcomponent (e.g., of or associated with the CMC), and/or a data store(e.g., of or associated with the CMC). In some embodiments, the CMC canbe located at and/or associated with (e.g., part of or communicativelyconnected to) a transmitter component (e.g., of a transceiver component)that can send light signals to a receiver component (e.g., of anothertransceiver component) via an optical cable. In some embodiments, themethod 1400 can proceed from reference point B of method 1300 to receivea squeezed light signal (e.g., the output light signal from method1300).

At 1402, for respective photons of a light signal having a definedwavelength, a quantum spin of a photon can be manipulated to generate atwisted light signal, comprising twisted photons, wherein the twistedphoton can have a desired number of twists. With regard to therespective photons of the light signal, the CMC can manipulate thequantum spin of the photon to generate the twisted light signalcomprising twisted photons, wherein the twisted photon can have adesired number of twists. For example, the CMC can manipulate thequantum spin of the photon to generate a twisted photon that can have90,000 twists (or more twists or less twists). While a traditionalphoton (e.g., untwisted photon) can carry one bit of data, a twistedphoton can carry, for example, fifteen bits of data (or more or lessthan fifteen bits of data depending in part on the number of twists ofthe twisted photon).

In some embodiments, the CMC can combine or fuse respective twistedphotons with respective electrons to produce hybrid photon/electronparticles, wherein each hybrid photon/electron particle can have theproperties of both a photon (e.g., twisted photon) and an electron. Thehybrid photon/electron particles (e.g., as encoded with bits of data)can be transmitted via an optical cable, which can be a fiber opticcable. In certain embodiments, the fiber optic cable can comprise atopological insulator material, which can be conductive on its surface,but insulating at its interior. The fiber optic cable often can curve orbend. As the hybrid photon/electron particles are transmitted throughthe fiber optic cable, comprising the topological insulator material,the hybrid photon/electron particles, can trace the surface of thetopological insulator material, without losing power or signal quality,or at least without losing significant power or signal quality. Incontrast, a photon (e.g., twisted photon) transmitted via a fiber opticcable, which does not have the topological insulator material, can losepower and signal quality due to signal losses from having to reflect offthe sides of the fiber optic cable due to the curves or bends in thefiber optic cable. Also, a fiber optic cable, comprising topologicalinsulator material, can be produced (e.g., spun) into ultra thin threads(e.g., nano-threads, which can be, for example, 0.01 of a micron inwidth), which can be significantly smaller than the transmission fiberof certain other types of fiber optic cable, which can be relativelythick (e.g., approximately 200 microns). As a result, an optic cablecomprising the topological insulator material can transmit approximately20,000 times more data than those certain other types of fiber opticcable.

It is to be appreciated and understood that the operations of the method1400, while further described herein with regard to a twisted photon,also can be extended to be performed with regard to a hybrid photon(e.g., twisted photon)/electron particle.

At 1404, the respective twisted photons of the light signal can beentangled to form entangled pairs of twisted photons. The CMC canentangle or facilitate entangling respective pairs of twisted photons toform the entangled pairs of twisted photons.

At 1406, respective identification numbers can be assigned to respectivetwisted photons. The CMC can assign respective identification numbers(e.g., serial numbers or address numbers) to the respective twistedphotons, for example, to encode the respective twisted photons withrespective identification numbers. As an example, the CMC can encode anentangled pair of twisted photons with identification numbers 1000000000(e.g., 512 twists) and 1000000001 (e.g., 513 twists). That is, the CMCcan map twisted photons to their entangled partner twisted photons.

At 1408, for each twisted photon, respective bits of data can be encodedon respective groups of twists of the twisted photon of the lightsignal, based at least in part on the respective identification numbers,to generate an encoded twisted light signal comprising the data andhaving the defined wavelength. For each twisted photon, the CMC canencode or facilitate encoding (e.g., using an encoder component) therespective bits of data on the respective groups of twists of thetwisted photon of the light signal to generate the encoded twisted lightsignal having the defined wavelength, based at least in part on therespective identification numbers. At the receiving end (e.g., after theencoded twisted light signal has been transmitted via the optical cableto the receiver component), the respective identification numbers of therespective twisted photons can be utilized, for example, during decodingof the encoded twisted light signal by the receiver component (e.g.,employing a decoder component) to identify or recover the respectivebits of data from the respective groups of twists of each twisted photonof the encoded twisted light signal.

At 1410, in connection with, prior to, or subsequent to, the encoding ofthe bits of data in the twisted light signal to generate the encodedtwisted light signal having the defined wavelength, a timingsynchronization pulse can be embedded in the encoded twisted lightsignal. In connection with, prior to, or subsequent to, the encoding ofthe bits of data in the twisted light signal to generate the encodedtwisted light signal, the CMC can embed the timing synchronization pulsein the encoded twisted light signal having the defined wavelength. Insome embodiments, employing the method 1400, or as otherwise describedherein, the CMC can generate a second encoded twisted light signal,comprising second data bits and having a second defined wavelength,wherein the CMC can embed a second timing synchronization pulse in thesecond encoded twisted light signal.

At 1412, the encoded twisted light signal, comprising the timingsynchronization pulse and having the defined wavelength, can betransmitted via the optical cable. The CMC can transmit or facilitatetransmitting (e.g., via a transmitter component of or associated withthe CMC) the encoded twisted light signal via the optical cable. In someembodiments, employing the method 1400, or as otherwise describedherein, the CMC also can transmit or facilitate transmitting, via theoptical channel, a second encoded twisted light signal, comprisingsecond data bits, a second timing synchronization pulse, and having asecond defined wavelength.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIGS. 15 and 16 as well as the following discussion areintended to provide a brief, general description of a suitableenvironment in which the various aspects of the disclosed subject mattermay be implemented. While the subject matter has been described above inthe general context of computer-executable instructions of a computerprogram that runs on a computer and/or computers, those skilled in theart will recognize that this disclosure also can or may be implementedin combination with other program modules. Generally, program modulesinclude routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. thatperform particular tasks and/or implement particular abstract datatypes. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theinventive methods may be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, mini-computing devices, mainframe computers, as well aspersonal computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., mobile phone,electronic tablets or pads, laptop computers, PDAs, . . . ),microprocessor-based or programmable consumer or industrial electronics,and the like. The illustrated aspects may also be practiced indistributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remoteprocessing devices that are linked through a communications network.However, some, if not all aspects of this disclosure can be practiced onstand-alone computers. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

With reference to FIG. 15, a suitable environment 1500 for implementingvarious aspects of this disclosure includes a computer 1512. Thecomputer 1512 includes a processing unit 1514, a system memory 1516, anda system bus 1518. It is to be appreciated that the computer 1512 can beused in connection with implementing one or more of the systems,components, or methods shown and described in connection with FIGS.1-14, or otherwise described herein. The system bus 1518 couples systemcomponents including, but not limited to, the system memory 1516 to theprocessing unit 1514. The processing unit 1514 can be any of variousavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessorarchitectures also can be employed as the processing unit 1514.

The system bus 1518 can be any of several types of bus structure(s)including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus orexternal bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available busarchitectures including, but not limited to, Industrial StandardArchitecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA(EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB),Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Card Bus, Universal Serial Bus(USB), Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association bus (PCMCIA), Firewire (IEEE 1394), and SmallComputer Systems Interface (SCSI).

The system memory 1516 includes volatile memory 1520 and nonvolatilememory 1522. The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basicroutines to transfer information between elements within the computer1512, such as during start-up, is stored in nonvolatile memory 1522. Byway of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory 1522 caninclude read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM(EEPROM), flash memory, or nonvolatile random access memory (RAM) (e.g.,ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM)). Volatile memory 1520 includes random accessmemory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way ofillustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such asstatic RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), doubledata rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM(SLDRAM), direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM), direct Rambus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM),and Rambus dynamic RAM.

Computer 1512 also includes removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. FIG. 15 illustrates, forexample, a disk storage 1524. Disk storage 1524 includes, but is notlimited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tapedrive, Jaz drive, Zip drive, LS-100 drive, flash memory card, or memorystick. The disk storage 1524 also can include storage media separatelyor in combination with other storage media including, but not limitedto, an optical disk drive such as a compact disk ROM device (CD-ROM), CDrecordable drive (CD-R Drive), CD rewritable drive (CD-RW Drive) or adigital versatile disk ROM drive (DVD-ROM). To facilitate connection ofthe disk storage devices 1524 to the system bus 1518, a removable ornon-removable interface is typically used, such as interface 1526.

FIG. 15 also depicts software that acts as an intermediary between usersand the basic computer resources described in the suitable operatingenvironment 1500. Such software includes, for example, an operatingsystem 1528. Operating system 1528, which can be stored on disk storage1524, acts to control and allocate resources of the computer system1512. System applications 1530 take advantage of the management ofresources by operating system 1528 through program modules 1532 andprogram data 1534 stored, e.g., in system memory 1516 or on disk storage1524. It is to be appreciated that this disclosure can be implementedwith various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user enters commands or information into the computer 1512 throughinput device(s) 1536. Input devices 1536 include, but are not limitedto, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad,keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TVtuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and thelike. These and other input devices connect to the processing unit 1514through the system bus 1518 via interface port(s) 1538. Interfaceport(s) 1538 include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, agame port, and a universal serial bus (USB). Output device(s) 1540 usesome of the same type of ports as input device(s) 1536. Thus, forexample, a USB port may be used to provide input to computer 1512, andto output information from computer 1512 to an output device 1540.Output adapter 1542 is provided to illustrate that there are some outputdevices 1540 like monitors, speakers, and printers, among other outputdevices 1540, which require special adapters. The output adapters 1542include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and soundcards that provide a means of connection between the output device 1540and the system bus 1518. It should be noted that other devices and/orsystems of devices provide both input and output capabilities such asremote computer(s) 1544.

Computer 1512 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)1544. The remote computer(s) 1544 can be a personal computer, a server,a router, a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance,a peer device or other common network node and the like, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to computer1512. For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 1546 isillustrated with remote computer(s) 1544. Remote computer(s) 1544 islogically connected to computer 1512 through a network interface 1548and then physically connected via communication connection 1550. Networkinterface 1548 encompasses wire and/or wireless communication networkssuch as local-area networks (LAN), wide-area networks (WAN), cellularnetworks, etc. LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface(FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet, Token Ringand the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to,point-to-point links, circuit switching networks like IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packetswitching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

Communication connection(s) 1550 refers to the hardware/softwareemployed to connect the network interface 1548 to the bus 1518. Whilecommunication connection 1550 is shown for illustrative clarity insidecomputer 1512, it can also be external to computer 1512. Thehardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface 1548includes, for exemplary purposes only, internal and externaltechnologies such as, modems including regular telephone grade modems,cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a sample-computing environment1600 (e.g., computing system) with which the subject matter of thisdisclosure can interact. The system 1600 includes one or more client(s)1610. The client(s) 1610 can be hardware and/or software (e.g., threads,processes, computing devices). The system 1600 also includes one or moreserver(s) 1630. Thus, system 1600 can correspond to a two-tier clientserver model or a multi-tier model (e.g., client, middle tier server,data server), amongst other models. The server(s) 1630 can also behardware and/or software (e.g., threads, processes, computing devices).The servers 1630 can house threads to perform transformations byemploying this disclosure, for example. One possible communicationbetween a client 1610 and a server 1630 may be in the form of a datapacket transmitted between two or more computer processes.

The system 1600 includes a communication framework 1650 that can beemployed to facilitate communications between the client(s) 1610 and theserver(s) 1630. The client(s) 1610 are operatively connected to one ormore client data store(s) 1620 that can be employed to store informationlocal to the client(s) 1610. Similarly, the server(s) 1630 areoperatively connected to one or more server data store(s) 1640 that canbe employed to store information local to the servers 1630.

Various aspects or features described herein can be implemented as amethod, apparatus, system, or article of manufacture using standardprogramming or engineering techniques. In addition, various aspects orfeatures disclosed in the subject specification can also be realizedthrough program modules that implement at least one or more of themethods disclosed herein, the program modules being stored in a memoryand executed by at least a processor. Other combinations of hardware andsoftware or hardware and firmware can enable or implement aspectsdescribed herein, including disclosed method(s). The term “article ofmanufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass a computer programaccessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or storage media.For example, computer-readable storage media can include but are notlimited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips, etc.), optical discs (e.g., compact disc (CD), digitalversatile disc (DVD), blu-ray disc (BD), etc.), smart cards, and memorydevices comprising volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory (e.g.,flash memory devices, such as, for example, card, stick, key drive,etc.), or the like. In accordance with various implementations,computer-readable storage media can be non-transitory computer-readablestorage media and/or a computer-readable storage device can comprisecomputer-readable storage media.

As it is employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. A processor can be or can comprise, for example, multipleprocessors that can include distributed processors or parallelprocessors in a single machine or multiple machines. Additionally, aprocessor can comprise or refer to an integrated circuit, an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), aprogrammable gate array (PGA), a field PGA (FPGA), a programmable logiccontroller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a statemachine, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Further, processors can exploit nano-scalearchitectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dotbased transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usageor enhance performance of user equipment. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing processing units.

A processor can facilitate performing various types of operations, forexample, by executing computer-executable instructions. When a processorexecutes instructions to perform operations, this can include theprocessor performing (e.g., directly performing) the operations and/orthe processor indirectly performing operations, for example, byfacilitating (e.g., facilitating operation of), directing, controlling,or cooperating with one or more other devices or components to performthe operations. In some implementations, a memory can storecomputer-executable instructions, and a processor can be communicativelycoupled to the memory, wherein the processor can access or retrievecomputer-executable instructions from the memory and can facilitateexecution of the computer-executable instructions to perform operations.

In certain implementations, a processor can be or can comprise one ormore processors that can be utilized in supporting a virtualizedcomputing environment or virtualized processing environment. Thevirtualized computing environment may support one or more virtualmachines representing computers, servers, or other computing devices. Insuch virtualized virtual machines, components such as processors andstorage devices may be virtualized or logically represented.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component are utilized to refer to “memory components,” entitiesembodied in a “memory,” or components comprising a memory. It is to beappreciated that memory and/or memory components described herein can beeither volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include bothvolatile and nonvolatile memory.

By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory caninclude read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flashmemory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), anddirect Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory componentsof systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without beinglimited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

As used in this application, the terms “component”, “system”,“platform”, “framework”, “layer”, “interface”, and the like, can referto and/or can include a computer-related entity or an entity related toan operational machine with one or more specific functionalities. Theentities disclosed herein can be either hardware, a combination ofhardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example,a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on aprocessor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both anapplication running on a server and the server can be a component. Oneor more components may reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component may be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers.

In another example, respective components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor. In such acase, the processor can be internal or external to the apparatus and canexecute at least a part of the software or firmware application. As yetanother example, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,wherein the electronic components can include a processor or other meansto execute software or firmware that confers at least in part thefunctionality of the electronic components. In an aspect, a componentcan emulate an electronic component via a virtual machine, e.g., withina cloud computing system.

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in thesubject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construedto mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from contextto be directed to a singular form.

As used herein, the terms “example,” “exemplary,” and/or “demonstrative”are utilized to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration.For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is notlimited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design describedherein as an “example,” “exemplary,” and/or “demonstrative” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplarystructures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,”and other similar words are used in either the detailed description orthe claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive, in a manner similarto the term “comprising” as an open transition word, without precludingany additional or other elements.

It is to be appreciated and understood that components (e.g.,transceiver component, transmitter component, receiver component,communication management component, optical signal processor,synchronization component, squeezer component, twisted light generatorcomponent, detector component, encoder modulator component, decoderdemodulator component, characteristics identifier component, processorcomponent, data store, . . . ), as described with regard to a particularsystem or method, can include the same or similar functionality asrespective components (e.g., respectively named components or similarlynamed components) as described with regard to other systems or methodsdisclosed herein.

What has been described above includes examples of systems and methodsthat provide advantages of the disclosed subject matter. It is, ofcourse, not possible to describe every conceivable combination ofcomponents or methods for purposes of describing the disclosed subjectmatter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that manyfurther combinations and permutations of the disclosed subject matterare possible. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,”“has,” “possesses,” and the like are used in the detailed description,claims, appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusivein a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” isinterpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memorythat stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: comparing afirst optical carrier and a second optical carrier that are received viaan optical cable, wherein the first optical carrier has a firstwavelength and a first timing synchronization pulse that is embedded ina first time location in the first optical carrier, wherein the secondoptical carrier has a second wavelength and a second timingsynchronization pulse that is embedded in a second time location in thesecond optical carrier, wherein the comparing comprises comparing thefirst time location of the first timing synchronization pulse and thesecond time location of the second timing synchronization pulse, andcomparing the first wavelength and the second wavelength, and whereinthe comparing results in a comparison result; and determining an errorthat occurred during a transmission of the first optical carrier and thesecond optical carrier via the optical cable based on the comparisonresult to facilitate mitigating the error.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the first optical carrier comprises a twisted light signal thatcomprises a twisted photon, and wherein the operations further comprise:encoding respective bits of data on respective groups of twists of thetwisted photon of the twisted light signal.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein a first number of the respective bits of data that is able to beencoded on the twisted photon increases as a second number of twists ofthe twisted photon increases.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst timing synchronization pulse is transmitted in the first opticalcarrier and the second timing synchronization pulse is transmitted inthe second optical carrier concurrently or at respective times that areknown by a receiver device that receives the first optical carrier andthe second optical carrier.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein theoperations comprise: determining a characteristic of the optical cablebased on an analysis result of analyzing the first optical carrier andthe second optical carrier, wherein the analyzing comprises thecomparing, and wherein the analysis result comprises the comparisonresult; and determining a compensation action that mitigates the errorbased on the characteristic of the optical cable.
 6. The system of claim5, wherein the comparing comprises: comparing a first time of arrival ofthe first timing synchronization pulse of the first optical carrier anda second time of arrival of the second timing synchronization pulse ofthe second optical carrier; and comparing a first group ofcharacteristics associated with the first optical carrier and a secondgroup of characteristics associated with the second optical carrier. 7.The system of claim 6, wherein the first group of characteristicscomprises the first time location of the first timing synchronizationpulse embedded in the first optical carrier, the first time of arrivalof the first timing synchronization pulse, the first wavelength of thefirst optical carrier, a first light intensity level of the firstoptical carrier, or a first power level of the first optical carrier. 8.The system of claim 6, wherein the operations further comprise:determining a third group of characteristics of the optical cable basedon the first group of characteristics and the second group ofcharacteristics, wherein the third group of characteristics comprisesthe characteristic, and wherein the determining of the compensationaction comprises determining the compensation action based on the firstgroup of characteristics, the second group of characteristics, or thethird group of characteristics.
 9. The system of claim 5, wherein theoperations further comprise: communicating information relating to thecompensation action to a source device associated with the opticalcable, wherein the source device transmitted the first optical carrierand the second optical carrier.
 10. The system of claim 5, wherein theoperations further comprise: performing the compensation action tomitigate the error with regard to a subsequent transmission of a thirdoptical carrier, wherein the performing of the compensation actioncomprises: suspending at least one frequency from an encoding of data inthe third optical carrier during the subsequent transmission of thethird optical carrier via the optical cable; initiating a replacement ofa portion of the optical cable; initiating a repair or a maintenance ofthe portion of the optical cable; adjusting a transmission rate of thesubsequent transmission of the third optical carrier; or adjusting aroute of the subsequent transmission of the third optical carrier. 11.The system of claim 1, wherein the first time location of the firsttiming synchronization pulse in the first optical carrier is determinedbased on a first random or pseudo-random number, and wherein the secondtime location of the second timing synchronization pulse in the secondoptical carrier is determined based on a second random or pseudo-randomnumber.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise: receiving setting information embedded or encoded in the firstoptical carrier, wherein the setting information indicates a subgroup ofnodes utilized in connection with the transmission of the first opticalcarrier and the second optical carrier, wherein a group of modescomprises the subgroup of modes, and wherein the group of modescomprises a no time synchronization mode, a time synchronization mode, atwisted encoding mode, or a non-twisted encoding mode; determining thesubgroup of modes utilized in connection with the transmission of thefirst optical carrier and the second optical carrier based on thesetting information; and processing the first optical carrier and thesecond optical carrier based on the subgroup of modes.
 13. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the optical cable is an optical transmissive mediacomprising a fiber optic cable, and wherein the first optical carriercomprises a light signal emitted from a light source comprising a lightemitting diode light source, a chemical light source, a halogen lightsource, a xenon light source, a metal halide light source, or a laserlight source.
 14. A method, comprising: analyzing, by a systemcomprising a processor, a first light signal and a second light signalthat are received via an optical link, wherein the first light signalhas a first wavelength and a first synchronization pulse that isembedded in a first time location in the first light signal, and whereinthe second light signal has a second wavelength and a secondsynchronization pulse that is embedded in a second time location in thesecond light signal, the analyzing comprising generating an analysisresult based on analyzing the first time location of the firstsynchronization pulse and the second time location of the secondsynchronization pulse, and analyzing the first wavelength and the secondwavelength; and determining, by the system, an error that occurredduring a transmission of the first light signal and the second lightsignal via the optical link based on the analysis result, to facilitatereducing the error.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:determining, by the system, a characteristic of the optical link basedon the analysis result; and determining, by the system, a compensationaction that mitigates the error based on the characteristic of theoptical link.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the analyzing furthercomprises comparing a first time of arrival of the first synchronizationpulse of the first light signal and a second time of arrival of thesecond synchronization pulse of the second light signal, and wherein themethod further comprises: determining a first group of characteristicsassociated with the first light signal and a second group ofcharacteristics associated with the second light signal based on theanalysis result, wherein the analysis result further comprises a firstcomparison result of the comparing of the first time of arrival and thesecond time of arrival, and wherein the first group of characteristicscomprises the first time location of the first synchronization pulseembedded in the first light signal, the first time of arrival of thefirst synchronization pulse, the first wavelength of the first lightsignal, a first light intensity level of the first light signal, or afirst power level of the first light signal, wherein the analyzingfurther comprises comparing the first group of characteristics and thesecond group of characteristics resulting in a second comparison result,and wherein the determining of the characteristic of the optical linkcomprises determining the characteristic of the optical link based onthe second comparison result.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein thedetermining of the error comprises determining an amount of the error,and wherein the method further comprises: executing, by the system, thecompensation action to reduce the amount of the error with regard to asubsequent transmission of a third light signal, wherein the executingof the compensation action comprises: suspending at least one frequencyfrom an encoding of data in the third light signal during the subsequenttransmission of the third light signal via the optical link; initiatinga replacement of a portion of the optical link; initiating a repair or amaintenance of the portion of the optical link; adjusting a transmissionrate of the subsequent transmission of the third light signal; oradjusting a route of the subsequent transmission of the third lightsignal.
 18. A method, comprising: embedding, by a system comprising aprocessor, a first synchronization pulse in a first time location in afirst optical carrier carrying first signals of a first wavelength and asecond synchronization pulse in a second time location in a secondoptical carrier carrying second signals of a second wavelength; andtransmitting, by the system, the first optical carrier and the secondoptical carrier via an optical cable, wherein an error associated withthe transmitting of the first optical carrier and the second opticalcarrier via the optical cable is determined based on a result ofanalyzing the first time location of the first synchronization pulse andthe second time location of the second synchronization pulse, andanalyzing the first wavelength and the second wavelength.
 19. The methodof claim 18, wherein the result is a first result, and wherein themethod further comprises: receiving, by the system, the informationrelating to the error from a receiver device that received the firstoptical carrier and the second optical carrier, wherein the informationis representative of the first time location of the firstsynchronization pulse, the second time location of the secondsynchronization pulse, the first wavelength of the first opticalcarrier, and the second wavelength of the second optical carrier;determining, by the system, an attribute of the optical cable based on asecond result of analyzing the information, wherein the attributeindicates a performance degradation of the optical cable that resultedin the error; based on the attribute, determining, by the system, acompensation action that mitigates the performance degradation of theoptical cable to reduce a subsequent error associated with a subsequenttransmission of a third optical carrier via the optical cable; andperforming, by the system, the compensation action in connection withthe subsequent transmission.
 20. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: processing, by the system, a light signal via opticalinterference to generate a processed light signal that has reducedquantum uncertainty than the light signal with regard to a phase or anamplitude; manipulating, by the system, quantum spins of photons of theprocessed light signal to generate a twisted light signal comprisingtwisted photons, wherein the first optical carrier comprises the twistedlight signal; and encoding, by the system, respective bits of data onrespective groups of twists of a twisted photon of the twisted photonsof the twisted light signal.